By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Senegal’s female National U-20 side has been proudly crowned Champions of the Maiden Edition of the WAFU ZONE A WOMEN’S U-20 TOURNAMENT, after registering a well-deserved (3-0) win against host Sierra Leone on 29th 2023 at the Southern Arena Stadium.
The tournament was organized by the West Africa Football Association and the Sierra Leone Football Association came to it successfully ended the maiden edition.
The prestigious tournament was hosted at the Newly Constructed and FIFA-certified Southern Arena Stadium owned by Sierra Leone business tycoon Mr. Babadi Kamara.
Four out of the Nine WAFU ZONE A Nations participated in this edition which changed the competition’s proposed Playing format.
The Competition started on Wednesday 24 May 2023 when host nation Sierra Leone locked horns with Guinea which ended 1 apiece. Sierra Leone took the lead two minutes into the first half via Skipper Kadiatu M Kamara’s Free Kick. Guinea replied appropriately before the break with a Fatoumata Dede Camara header. In the second match of the day Senegal walloped Guinea Bissau 4 – 0 with a hat trick from Hapsatou M Diallo.
The tournament reached its climax on 29 May in the early kick-off, Guinea registered a 2 – 0 victory over Guinea Bissau, and Sierra Leone’s hopes of securing either the Championship or runner-up medal were shattered with a 3 – 0 defeat by Senegal.
Champions Senegal went unbeaten with ten goals scored and conceding only one, Runners up Guinea with a win, draw and defeat together with Sierra Leone finished levelled on points (4 points each) but a negative goal difference of 1 gave the advantage to Guinea. Guinea Bissau remains the lone country with no point in the tournament losing all three group-stage matches.
Senegal won all major awards in the tournament including, Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, and highest goal scorer, and the Championship Medals and Trophies. Guinea was awarded the Runners-Up medal and trophy whilst the host nation only managed the fear play award.
Speaking after the final match, Sierra Leone U-20 Female team Coach Hassan Mansaray applauded his players for such performance as it was their first appearance in an international tournament but call for more competition for female players. He said his team cannot match Senegal because the players have not been together and were not been moving in the Cader of football like Senegal’s Team which has gone through the U-15, U-17, and now U-20.
“We have only played one league for the past years which has produced this set of players, we are calling on SLFA to organize the women’s FA cup to keep the girls fit and playing” Coach Mansaray noted.
Speaking on behalf of WAFU ZONE A, Mapathe Gaye foremost thanked the Sierra Leone Football Association for successfully hosting the tournament. He confirmed Champions will receive $9000 and half of the sum will be given to runners-up whilst the third and fourth-placed teams will receive a consolation prize.
Mr Gaye revealed that negotiations are ongoing for Sierra Leone to host the U-20 Male and Senior Female tournaments and he will highly recommend and approved Sierra Leone Football Association to be the host as this has been the best fans attended WAFU ZONE A competition.
The President and EXCO Members of Sierra Leone Football Association, Minister of Sports and The National Sports Authority and Southern Region Football Association Act.
The Minister of Sports Ibrahim Nylenkeh has assured Shooting Starlets of the Government’s support and emphasized that he was impressed with their performance in the tournaments.
Chairman Sadick Deen-Nyarkoh was commended for Successfully hosting and providing technical support and being hospitable throughout the competition.
