Flying Eagles hit four past Ghana to seize control of WAFU B U20 group

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles made a powerful start to their WAFU B U20 Championship campaign with a 4-2 victory over Ghana’s Black Satellites, storming to the top of Group B after a frenetic opening match.

The six-goal thriller saw Nigeria strike early, respond emphatically each time Ghana threatened a comeback, and ultimately seal the points with a late penalty to underline their dominance.

Nigeria needed only six minutes to break the deadlock. Olayemi Ayinla collected the ball in space and lashed a fierce drive that flew beyond the Ghana goalkeeper, giving the Flying Eagles an ideal platform in the opening stages.

Ghana, however, were not subdued for long. In the 23rd minute, Mohammed Zaidan capitalised on a rare lapse in the Nigerian back line, finding the equaliser to bring the Black Satellites level at 1-1 and momentarily shift the momentum.

Nigeria restore control before the break

The response from Nigeria was swift and ruthless. On the half-hour mark, Lucky Oraro stepped up over a free-kick and his delivery took a wicked deflection, wrong-footing the Ghana keeper and restoring the Flying Eagles’ lead at 2-1.

The advantage was stretched further before half-time. In the 38th minute, Nigeria were awarded a penalty after sustained pressure in the Ghanaian penalty area. Muiz Adeleke took responsibility from the spot and finished with composure, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to put the Flying Eagles 3-1 ahead at the interval.

Head coach Abdu Maikaba reacted at half-time with a single substitution, introducing Adamu Hussaini in place of Imrana Muhammad as Nigeria sought to tighten their grip on the contest while maintaining their attacking threat.

Ghana rally but Flying Eagles hold firm

The second half produced more drama as Ghana tried to haul themselves back into the game. Their persistence was rewarded on the hour when the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty to the Black Satellites. Kelvin Nkrumah stepped up and calmly converted, cutting Nigeria’s lead to 3-2 and briefly reigniting Ghanaian hopes.

Buoyed by that goal, Ghana enjoyed their best spell of the match, pushing forward aggressively and asking questions of the Nigerian defence. The Flying Eagles, under pressure for the first time since the opening stages, were forced to dig in and ride out the storm.

Gradually, Maikaba’s side regained their structure and began to reassert control, slowing the tempo and limiting Ghana’s opportunities in the final third. Nigeria continued to create chances of their own on the break as spaces opened up.

Late penalty settles tense finale

With six minutes of normal time remaining, Nigeria had a clear opportunity to kill off the contest. Adeleke found himself clean through on goal in the 84th minute, only to miss the one-on-one chance that would likely have ended Ghana’s resistance.

That squandered opening proved only a temporary reprieve for the Black Satellites. As the clock ticked towards full-time, Nigeria were awarded a second penalty in the 89th minute after another incisive attack forced a defensive error.

Adeleke, having earlier passed up the chance to score from open play, returned to the spot and this time made no mistake, converting confidently to restore the two-goal cushion at 4-2 and effectively settle the outcome.

The result places the Flying Eagles in a strong early position at the top of Group B in the WAFU B U20 Championship, with their attacking display against one of the region’s traditional powers laying down an emphatic marker for the rest of the tournament.