The Black Stars B of Ghana has failed to defend their WAFU Championship title after succumbing to the Local Terranga Lions of Senegal 3-1 via penalty shootouts.

Senegal started the game by taking control of the game in the early stages.

They looked more threatening as Ghana defense were made to answer many questions at the back.

Ibrhima Drame came close to giving the Senegalese the lead but his effort was saved by Eric Ofori.

Shafiu Mumuni came close for Ghana in the 25th minute, after a good cross by Patrick Yeboah But a timely intervention by the Senegalese thwarted the danger.

Senegalese dominated the entire first half but couldn’t create any dangerous chance.

The host came back from the recess looking more threatening.

Assane Mbodj nearly get the opener, but his header went wide.

Senegal kept on pounding pressure on Ghana but couldn’t get the breakthrough.

Shafiu Mumuni had Ghana’s best chance of the game on the 79th minutes, heading a cross from Fatawu, but his header was stopped by the impressive Pape Ndiaye.

Youssef Badji had the last chance of the game but his free kick went wide.

The game went to extra time as both sides failed to get the back of the net.

As early as 108th minute in the extra time, Senegal broke the virginity of the game through Youssef Badji before Joseph Esso restored parity for Ghana with a rebound after air ball challenge – Esso’s goal came less than 2 minutes after Senegal’s goal.

Subsequently, the game came to closure with penalty shootouts being the only mechanism to use before any team could emerge victorious.

In the shootout, Augustine Okrah and Fatawu Mohammed Okrah missed the first and second kick respectively before Appiah McCarthy scored the third kick for Ghana.

On the hand, Senegal effected and scored their first three penalty kicks before Justice Blay missed the fourth and the last kick for Ghana which saw the host to have won 3-1 on penalties.

It was a bad night for Ghana as the Black Stars B couldn’t defend their title whilst Senegal won it on their soil.

Senegal is the second team to host and win the WAFU Championship after Ghana hosted and won in 2017.

By: Fareed Mohammed Awal.