The West African Football Union (WAFU) has announced the officiating panel for the upcoming WAFU Zone B U-20 Boys’ Cup, scheduled to be held in Ghana from July 10th to 23rd. Among the selected officials are two Nigerian referees, Salisu Basheer and Abdul Majeed Usman, underscoring Nigeria’s contribution to the development and integrity of football officiating within the West African region. Their selection comes as part of a broader initiative to ensure balanced representation and impartiality in the tournament, with each of the seven participating nations contributing two officials – one referee and one assistant referee – to the total pool of fourteen. This strategic approach not only promotes fairness and transparency in the competition but also fosters regional cooperation and the sharing of expertise amongst the officiating personnel from different West African nations.
The complete list of appointed match officials includes Ahomlanto Dedjinnanchi Tanislas and Kouton Gbemassiandan from Benin Republic; Nikiema Jacqueline and Traore Daouda representing Burkina Faso; Soro Tuonifere and Bamba Kalilou from Ivory Coast; Bless Yao Selorm and Patricia Kyeraa from host nation Ghana; Ali Moussa Mohamed and Ali Hamidou from Niger; Senyo Kossi and Agbedanou Abra Sitsofe from Togo; and the aforementioned Nigerian duo of Salisu Basheer and Abdul Majeed Usman. This diverse representation of officials reflects the geographical breadth of the tournament and highlights WAFU’s commitment to ensuring balanced participation from across the region.
The WAFU Zone B U-20 Boys’ Cup serves as a crucial preparatory platform for national teams gearing up for continental and international competitions. For Nigeria’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, the tournament holds particular significance. Coached by Aliyu Zubairu, the Flying Eagles will utilize the WAFU competition to finetune their strategies and player combinations ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Chile between September 27th and October 19th. This regional tournament offers the team valuable match practice against strong opposition, enabling Coach Zubairu to assess his players’ performance and identify any areas requiring improvement before the global stage.
Nigeria’s participation in the U-20 World Cup carries a weighty historical context, given the nation’s previous achievements in the tournament. Having twice finished as runners-up in the prestigious competition, the Flying Eagles harbour ambitions of securing their maiden U-20 World Cup title in Chile. The WAFU Zone B tournament, therefore, represents a critical stepping stone towards realizing this ambition. The experience gained and the lessons learned during the regional competition will be invaluable in preparing the team for the challenges and pressures of the World Cup stage.
The third edition of the WAFU Zone B U-20 tournament will feature six teams, divided into two groups for the initial phase of the competition. Group A is comprised of the host nation Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin Republic, setting the stage for some exciting regional derbies. Group B consists of Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Niger, promising an equally competitive set of fixtures. This group format allows for a comprehensive assessment of each team’s strengths and weaknesses as they navigate the initial stages of the tournament.
The tournament’s structure ensures that each participating team gains substantial match experience, providing invaluable insights for coaches and players alike. The group stage matches will be followed by knockout rounds, culminating in the final match to determine the ultimate champion. The competitive nature of the tournament fosters growth and development for the participating teams, ultimately contributing to the overall elevation of football standards within the West African region. The exposure and experience gained through this tournament will undoubtedly benefit the players as they progress through the different competitive tiers.
