Guinea-Bissau tops WAFU A U17 group after dominant comeback win over Liberia

Guinea-Bissau finished top of Group A in the WAFU A U17 tournament after a stunning 4-1 comeback victory against Liberia on the final day of the group stage.

The young Djurtinhos showed remarkable determination to overturn a first-half deficit and secure a commanding win that sealed their place as group leaders ahead of hosts Mali.

Liberia made a bright start and stunned Guinea-Bissau by scoring before the interval to lead 1-0 at half-time.

The Bissau-Guinean defence struggled to contain Liberia’s early pressure, while missed chances in attack kept the Djurtinhos behind on the scoreboard.

After the break, Guinea-Bissau regrouped and displayed a completely different attitude. Their energy, precision, and attacking intent overwhelmed Liberia, who failed to maintain their first-half momentum. The young Djurtinhos struck four times in the second period, showing both flair and composure in front of goal.

The equaliser reignited Guinea-Bissau’s belief, and from that point, they dominated the contest.

Their second and third goals came in quick succession, turning the game decisively in their favour. By the time the fourth goal arrived, Liberia had no response and appeared completely overrun.

This emphatic performance highlighted the team’s resilience and quality, confirming why they have been one of the standout sides in the competition.

The result lifted Guinea-Bissau to six points, putting them at the top of Group A and ahead of Mali, who finished with five points.

Gambia, despite collecting four points, fell short of qualification, while Liberia exited the tournament without earning a single point.

The group stage concluded with Guinea-Bissau demonstrating a perfect blend of teamwork, discipline, and attacking efficiency.

Their response after conceding the opening goal underlined their mental strength and tactical maturity at such a young age.

Finishing first in Group A also gives Guinea-Bissau a psychological advantage heading into the semi-finals, where they will seek to continue their impressive run and push towards qualification for the continental U17 competition.

Coach and players alike can take immense pride in their turnaround against Liberia—a match that tested their resilience but ultimately showcased their growing confidence and technical ability.

The Djurtinhos’ emphatic display sent a strong message to their rivals and confirmed their status as genuine contenders for the WAFU A U17 title.

Final Group A Standings:

1. Guinea-Bissau – 6 points

2. Mali – 5 points

3. Gambia – 4 points

4. Liberia – 0 points