Football scout Sheikh Tophic Sienu has singled out five standout players from the recently concluded 2025 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship, tipping them for greatness if properly managed. The tournament, hosted in Ghana, saw Ivory Coast defeat Nigeria 1-0 in the final to lift the trophy, with Ghana securing bronze after beating Niger.
Sienu, who served as the Media Officer for the competition, closely monitored all matches over the 14-day period at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence and the University of Ghana Stadium. In an interview with Footy-Africa, he shared his observations on five players who, in his view, have the talent to reach the highest level of the game.
Kudus Bamba – Right Back (Ivory Coast)
“Kudus Bamba was a complete package. He was solid at the back and adventurous going forward,” Sienu said. “What impressed me most was his ability to recover quickly after pushing up. He reads the game well and times his tackles perfectly. He was rightly named in the tournament’s Best XI.”
Ali Koné – Midfielder (Ivory Coast)
“Ali Koné was one of the most consistent players throughout the tournament. He’s the kind of midfielder every team needs — strong, smart, and hardworking,” Sienu observed. “He can play box-to-box, break up attacks and start moves from deep. If he gets the right development pathway, he can go far.”
Aziz Misibau – Striker (Ghana)
Aziz Misibau was Ghana’s most dangerous player, finishing as joint top scorer with two goals and providing two assists.
“He’s a natural finisher and plays with maturity beyond his age,” Sienu said. “Aziz doesn’t just wait for the ball. He creates space, links up well with midfielders, and has a good eye for goal. He was named MVP twice — it tells you the impact he made.”
Raymond Acheampong – Defender (Ghana)
“Raymond Acheampong was one of the surprise packages,” Sienu noted. “Though naturally a centre-back, he played at right-back for Ghana and never looked out of place. He was composed, confident on the ball, and defended with intelligence. He could become a dependable defender for club and country if groomed well.”
Bidemi Olalekan Amole – Winger (Nigeria)
The 17-year-old Bidemi Olalekan Amole was a livewire in attack for Nigeria.
“Bidemi has pace, flair, and confidence,” said Sienu. “He was a constant threat on the wings. What’s interesting is that he was originally a number 8 but is now evolving into a creative wide player. That adaptability adds to his value.”
According to Sienu, all five players have shown the kind of promise that can lead them to professional success if given the right guidance, training environment, and mentorship.
“These boys are raw gems,” he added. “If clubs and national teams are serious about building for the future, they need to invest in players like these. With the right support, they can become household names in African football and beyond.”
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