Benin Republic has been officially selected to host the 2025 WAFU B U20 Women’s Championship, set for November 3 to 10, offering Nigeria‘s Falconets a prime opportunity to redeem themselves after their heartbreaking loss to Ghana, according to Soccernet.ng.
The West African Football Union (WAFU Zone B) confirmed Benin as the tournament venue in an announcement made on Tuesday.
This upcoming championship will feature some of West Africa’s elite women’s youth squads, including the reigning champions Ghana, alongside Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
As a vital event for nurturing women’s football talent in the sub-region, this will mark the second edition of the WAFU B U20 Women’s Championship.
The inaugural tournament, hosted by Ghana in 2023, was a captivating showcase that significantly boosted the profile of women’s football, setting high expectations for the forthcoming competition in Cotonou.
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Falconets Aim to Rewrite History After 2023 Setback
The Falconets carry the weight of their 2023 final loss in Kumasi, a defeat that still resonates deeply within the team.
Throughout the inaugural tournament, Nigeria’s squad was dominant, netting 20 goals without conceding a single one until the championship match.
The team cruised through the group stages with commanding victories over Niger (7-0), Togo (6-0), and Burkina Faso (3-0), before a convincing 3-0 win against Benin in the semifinals.
However, the final proved to be a tough hurdle.
Ghana took an early advantage with a penalty converted by Stella Nyamekye in the 39th minute. Nigeria’s Flourish Sabastine managed to level the score late in the game, pushing the contest into a penalty shootout where Ghana ultimately prevailed 3-1.
Nyamekye earned the Player of the Tournament accolade, while Nigeria’s Esther Ajakaye finished as the top scorer with six goals. The tournament saw a total of 55 goals, with Nigeria contributing an impressive 20.
With the next championship set on neutral ground, the Falconets are determined to improve on their previous performance and claim the title that narrowly eluded them.