Accra, Aug 29, GNA - Cote d' Ivoire became the first country to book a ticket for the ECOWAS Under-21 soccer tournament scheduled for Nigeria, after they won the Group A, mini-league played in Abidjan a week ago.

The Ivorians defeated Gambia 5-3 on penalties after the final game ended one all.

Cote d'Ivoire now joins Nigeria who secured an automatic qualification to the tourney by virtue of the fact that they are the hosts as well as the base of the headquarters of the sub-regional body. The Ivorians on their way to the finals beat Burkina Faso 3-1, before dispensing of the Gambians in the finals.

Gambia will now have to wait for the losing finalist of the group B, tourney scheduled for Ghana between September 12-18, to determine their fate.

Ghana is to host three other African countries, Cape Verde, Niger and Senegal at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium in Group B. The tournament, being organized by the West African Football Union (WAFU) is in collaboration with ECOWAS and forms part of activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the institution.