Four teams to watch in 2019 WAFU tournament

Home advantage paid dividends two years ago at the Cape Coast as Ghana came up at the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations, defeating West African counterparts Nigeria by 4-1 in the final game.

This year’s WAFU Cup of Nations will be hosted by Senegal. Connoisseurs of the game say this is enough to tip the Teranga Lions among the favourites to win the ultimate glory this year.

Ghana Crusader Sports takes a look at five Nations to watch ahead of the WAFU tournament in Dakar.

GHANA

The defending champions will be the number one favourites to lift the title once again because competitions like this always recognise winners and countries with character. Ranked 49th in the World and 6th on the continent, Ghana have slowly but surely returned to the side that wowed the world between 2010-2014. The Blacks Stars will fancy their chances in Dakar in their bid to retain their trophy.

NIGERIA

Runners up at the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations will always fall into pundits favourites column when it comes to continental competitions much like Egypt. Ranked 3rd in Africa, Nigeria have a growing number of youngsters in Europe. The West African will like to make a statement this time around by making amends to their humiliating 4-1 defeat to Ghana in 2017 WAFU CUP OF NATIONS final.

MOROCCO

While most countries from West Africa have their best players playing in Europe, North African countries like Morocco usually have most of their players playing the in the domestic leagues. While this has changed over the years for Morocco, the country still boast some of the best clubs on the continent with Wydad Casablanca, one win away from being crowned Champions of this years’ CAF Champions League. Ranked 4th on the continent, the Atlas Lions are a growing threat on the African Continent.

SENEGAL

Sitting at the 23rd in the latest FIFA World Rankings, Senegal are the highest ranked side on the African continent. This can mainly be attributed to their European-based stars including Liverpool’s Sadio Mane. Whether the Teranga Lions will be able to pull their European players to participate in this year’s tournament remains to be seen.

The draw for the WAFU CUP OF NATIONS 2019 took place yesterday at the Radisson Blu Sea Plaza Hotel in Dakar.

SENEGAL VS GUINEA-BISSAU

GHANA VS GAMBIA

NIGERIA VS TOGO

MOROCCO VS LIBERIA

MALI VS NIGER

IVORY COAST VS CAPE VERDE

BURKINA FASO VS MAURITANIA

BELOW IS THE FULL DRAW