WAFU Group Match Day 2 

Match Preview- Senegal vrs Niger

Niger and Senegal will this afternoon open the group B campaign at the Cape Coast Stadium with the Nigeriens showing up as surprise qualifiers for the group stage. They beat Burkina Faso in a shocking 2-1 score line to make it to the second round for the first time and justify their inclusion in the tournament. Against Senegal, that impressive performance with Burkina Faso will surely count for Niger. 

Senegal however struggled to secure their place in the last eight as they were held goalless by West African underdogs Liberia, before edging past them on a 5-4 penalty shoot out. Niger will definitely not come as an easy meat to chew but the Senegalese must vary their tactics from their last game to stamp their supremacy on the 'Menas ' of Niger. 

In another cagey encounter, Cote d'Ivoire and Benin will be slugging it out in the second game of the day. Having qualified by a resounding 2-0 victory over Cape Verde, Benin proved they cannot be underestimated by any team in the tournament. Though statistics tout Ivory Coast as favorites, the 2017 WAFU tournament has been capitalized by surprises as known football nations became casualties to emerging ones. 

Benin will not only pose a threat to the country that has beaten them over 10 times in previous meetings but can upset them to gain the 3points if Ivory Coast fails to improve on their performance ahead of the crunch game. To be on top of the group in your first game is enough security to book a place in the last four and the two sides will definitely work towards that. It is going to be a difficult encounter for both teams.

As usual your authoritative and reliable GTV SPORTS Plus will bring you a live coverage of the matches together with lively and informative pre-match discussions with experienced panelists.

Preview: Helga Gokah
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