National Teams
WAFU-B U20: Mohammed Abdullahi’s late header rescues draw for Nigeria vs Ghana
By Dayo Awoniyi
A late header from Muhammed Abdullahi earned Nigeria’s Flying Eagles a 1–1 draw against Ghana in their opening Group A match of the 2025 WAFU Zone B U20 Championship on Thursday.
The tightly contested encounter, played at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, lived up to its billing as a high-stakes West African derby, with both teams showcasing intensity, tactical awareness, and individual brilliance.
Ghana opened the scoring midway through the first half, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Nigeria to take a 1–0 lead. The Black Satellites controlled possession early on, pressing Nigeria’s backline with quick diagonal runs and midfield dominance.
Despite occasional attacking flashes from Nigeria, the Flying Eagles struggled for fluency and went into the break trailing.
Head coach Aliyu Zubair introduced tactical adjustments and fresh legs in the second half, which helped Nigeria regain control. The team adopted a more aggressive shape, pushed their wingers higher, and pressed Ghana deeper into their half.
Their efforts paid off in the 84th minute when Muhammed Abdullahi rose highest to meet a well-delivered cross, nodding home the equalizer. The goal sealed a valuable point for Nigeria and reflected their late-game resilience.
Abdullahi’s impact extended beyond the goal, as his aerial presence and off-the-ball movement posed a constant threat to Ghana’s defense.
The Flying Eagles now turn their attention to a must-win match against Benin Republic on Sunday, July 13. With only three teams in Group A, a victory will be crucial to advancing to the knockout stage.
