Ghana prepares to host WAFU U-17 tournament in May – GFA Communications Director

Ghana is gearing up to host the WAFU U-17 tournament from May 15th to May 29th, as confirmed by GFA Communications Director, Henry Asante Twum.

In an interview with Peace FM, as monitored, Twum provided a comprehensive update on the preparations for the event, including the team pairings and the facilities that will be used.

Twum explained that the WAFU U17 championship, under CAF’s management, has divided West Africa’s football union into two zones: A and B. Ghana, along with Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Benin, Niger, Togo, and Burkina Faso, falls under Zone B. The top two teams from this zone will qualify for the CAF Africa U-17 Cup of Nations next year.

The tournament will be held at the University of Ghana Stadium, with the university management graciously allowing the use of their other facilities for training.

“The WAFU U17 championship now in CAF’s arrangement now West Africa’s football union has been divided into two Zone A and Zone B. We are in Zone B so Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Benin, Niger, Togo, and Burkina Faso we are in Zone B. So this coming month May on the 15th to 29th we will play the Zone B U17 tournament in Ghana. The teams that will be 1st and 2nd will qualify to CAF Africa U-17 Cup of Nations next year,” he said.

“As we are going to host it preparations are ongoing we recently hosted the African Games we are trying to build on that even though this is a bit smaller in terms of size and competition compared to the African Games. Thankfully we have spoken to the authorities and they have accepted that the University of Ghana Stadium will be the place to host the tournament. So the competition coming on will be hosted at the University of Ghana and in terms of training pitches due to the good work you did to prepare for the facilities for the African Games we have spoken to the University of Ghana management and they have given us the opportunity to use their facilities so the four training pitches that we have selected are Achimota School Park, the Athletic Oval at the University of Ghana, Sarbah Hall Park at the University of Ghana, and Union Park which is also at the University of Ghana.

“These are the four pitches selected for training because the event will start from the 15th the teams should start arriving in Ghana from the 10th of May they will get five clear days to prepare for the opening ceremony and the first game of the tournament. WAFU officials have already done the pairings so Group A Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Benin are there and Group B Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Togo, and niger are also there so far these are the arrangements,”