Benin emerged winners of the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) ‘B’ U-17 Championship held from 19-27 April in Lome, Togo.
The Beninois beat mali 2-1 after extra time in the final to claim the ultimate at the zonal cadet championship dubbed ‘President Cup’.
The tournament, the first of the zonal union this year also provided a preparatory ground for the participating teams ahead of the qualifiers of the African U-17 Championship Niger 2015.
The Beninois bounced back from a 2-1 defeat of hosts Togo in the opening game, dispatched Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in the next game before seeing off favourites, Nigeria 3-1 on penalties at the semis.
The Golden Eaglets settled for bronze beating hosts Togo in the third-place match, whilst goalie Benjamin Amos was adjudged the safest pair of hands at the tournament.
Benin striker Aaron Ibilola went away with the top scorers prize with three goals and Malian Mohamed Hairdara as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
Complete results
Group A
19/04/2014 Togo 2-1 Benin Municipal Stadium, Lome
21/04/2014 Benin 2-1 Cote d’Ivoire Municipal Stadium, Lome
23/04/2014 Cote d’Ivoire 1-1 Togo Municipal Stadium, Lome
Group B
19/04/2014 mali 0-2 Nigeria Municipal Stadium, Lome
23/04/2014 Nigeria 2-0 Mali Municipal Stadium, Lome
Semi-final
25/04/2014 Nigeria 1-1 (1-3pen) Benin Municipal Stadium, Lome
25/04/2014 Mali 4-0 Togo Municipal Stadium, Lome
Third-place match
27/04/2014 Nigeria 3-0 Togo Municipal Stadium, Lome
Final
27/04/2014 Benin 2-1 (a.e.t) Mali Municipal Stadium, Lome
Awards
Fair play: Nigeria
Best goalkeeper: Benjamin Amos (Nigeria)
Top Scorer: Aaron Ibilola (Benin) [3 goals]
Best player: Mohamed Haidara (Mali)
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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