Nigeria U20 4-2 Ghana U20: Adeleke brace fires Flying Eagles to winning WAFU B start

Nigeria’s U20 side began their WAFU B championship campaign with a 4-2 victory over long-standing rivals Ghana, with Abdulmuiz Adeleke scoring twice in an action-packed group opener.

Right-back Olayemi Ayinla put Nigeria in front inside six minutes, driving in a powerful strike that gave the Ghana goalkeeper no chance and set the tone for a frantic first half.

Ghana, however, quickly hit back to level the scores, punishing Nigeria’s failure to build on their early dominance and briefly silencing the Flying Eagles.

With around 15 minutes remaining in the first half, Nigeria restored their advantage when a free-kick from Lucky Oraro took a deflection and wrong-footed the keeper, edging them back into the lead.

Adeleke then extended the cushion from the penalty spot before the interval, calmly converting to ensure Nigeria went into half-time 3-1 ahead and firmly in control of the contest.

Ghana fight back after the break

Ghana emerged for the second half as the stronger side, pressing Nigeria back and creating sustained pressure as they looked to haul themselves back into the match.

Their renewed dominance was rewarded when they were awarded a penalty, which was successfully converted to cut the deficit to 3-2 and revive hopes of a comeback.

Nigeria were forced to withstand a series of Ghanaian attacks, defending deep and struggling at times to regain the control they had enjoyed before the break.

Adeleke settles it late on

Despite earlier passing up a clear opportunity to put the game beyond doubt, Adeleke was called upon again as Nigeria sought a decisive fourth goal.

Replicating the composure he had shown in the first half, the forward made no mistake with his next chance, finishing clinically to seal a 4-2 win and secure maximum points from the opening fixture.

The result gives the Flying Eagles early momentum in their WAFU B campaign and a platform to build on in a group that also features Togo and Burkina Faso.

Group schedule ahead

Nigeria will next face Togo on 30 July as they aim to secure progression from the group with a game to spare.

They will then complete their group-stage programme against Burkina Faso on 2 August, with qualification hopes likely to hinge on results across those two fixtures.

The victory over Ghana, however, ensures Nigeria start the regional tournament in a strong position, having combined clinical finishing with enough resilience to withstand a spirited second-half response from their West African rivals.