Hosts Senegal are the champions of the 2019 WAFU Cup of Nations after a 3-1 penalty shootout win over Ghana following 120 minutes of football which ended 1-1 at the Stade Lat Dior in Thies on Sunday.

Goals proved to be at a premium as both teams struggled to find openings and create meaningful chances in regulation time which ended goalless.

With time running out in extra time, the Teranga Lions of Senegal created inroads into the backline of the Black Stars with substitute Youssouph Badji nearly giving Senegal the lead in the 105th minute.

Badji, however, was more clinical two minutes into the second half turning in Ousseynou Niang’s low cross into Ghana’s goal from six yards out to give Senegal the lead in extra time.

Undaunted, the Black Stars rallied to respond almost immediately with Joseph Esso taking advantage of a melee in the box occasioned by a Ghana free-kick to score in the 110th minute.

With both sides level after extra time, it fell to the lottery of penalties to separate them.

Senegal’s goalkeeper Pape Ndiaye saved from Augustine Okrah and Justice Blay while Ghana’s Fatawu Mohammed saw his spot-kick rebound off the crossbar as the Teranga Lions ran out winners.