Jerry Afriyie's decisive penalty seals Ghana's comeback over Côte d'Ivoire in WAFU B U20 Championship

Jerry Afriyie’s precise second-half penalty propelled Ghana to a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Côte d'Ivoire in the semi-final of the WAFU B U20 Championship on Sunday, October 27, 2024.

The game began unfavorably for the Black Satellites, as Ivorian forward Konan Loukou netted an early goal, putting Ghana on the back foot.

However, Ghana fought back, equalizing before halftime with a fortuitous deflection from a corner kick.

Afriyie, the tournament’s leading scorer with four goals, stepped up confidently to take the penalty and executed it flawlessly early in the second half, completing Ghana’s turnaround.

The team, led by head coach Desmond Ofei, held their ground to secure a place in the final.

This victory also guarantees Ghana's qualification for the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will serve as a pathway to the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, where the top four African teams will earn qualification.