Black Satellites midfielder Mohammed Zaidan was named Man of the Match for a second consecutive game after Ghana were held to a goalless draw by Togo in their final Group B fixture at the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire.
Zaidan was influential throughout the midfield battle, combining composure on the ball with a high work rate and intelligent passing. His performance allowed him to control the tempo of the game and earned him the individual award once again.
The recognition follows his display in Ghana’s previous match against Burkina Faso, when he was also voted Man of the Match. On that occasion, the Black Satellites fought their way to a 1-1 draw despite playing for much of the contest with 10 men.
Ghana ended their Group B campaign without progressing to the knockout stage, but the tournament offered several positive signs for the young side. The Black Satellites showed resilience and determination during their matches, while also producing moments of attacking quality against some of West Africa’s leading emerging talents.
The goalless result against Togo brought Ghana’s involvement in the competition to a close. Although they could not advance beyond the group phase, the performances of players such as Zaidan provided encouragement for the team’s ongoing development.
The midfielder’s back-to-back Man of the Match awards underlined his importance to the side during the tournament. His ability to remain composed, work tirelessly and distribute the ball effectively made him a key figure in Ghana’s midfield across the two matches in which he received the accolade.
The competition also gave head coach Maxwell Konadu an opportunity to assess his squad in a demanding international setting. He was able to examine different tactical approaches and provide several players with valuable exposure to competitive football at youth level.
That experience is particularly important as Ghana prepare for future assignments. The Black Satellites already have qualification for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations secured because Ghana will host the tournament.
The WAFU B U-20 Championship therefore represented an important stage in the team’s preparations for next year’s continental competition. The matches in Cote d’Ivoire gave the coaching staff a clearer understanding of the squad, while the players gained experience against strong opposition from across the region.
Ghana will now look to build on the resilience, determination and attacking quality displayed during the tournament. The lessons from the campaign are expected to help strengthen team cohesion as Konadu and his technical staff continue shaping a competitive Black Satellites squad capable of challenging for continental honours on home soil in 2027.
