WAFU B U20: Nigeria spank Ghana in Niamey

Nigeria Flying Eagles got their WAFU B U20 Championship campaign to a flying start when they beat arch-rivals Ghana 2-0 in their first group game in Niamey on Sunday.

The young Nigerians, coached by Ladan Bosso went ahead in the 6th minute through Ibrahim Muhammad who rounded the Ghananian goalkeeper Gregory Obeng before slotting home.

Lithuania based striker Adams Olubi should have made it 2-0 for Nigeria towards the end of the first half but fluffed his lines after a good team move had carved open the Ghanaian rearguard and left him with only the goalkeeper to beat.

The Eagles, captained by impressive Enyimba centre back Oluwatosin Adegbite however made sure of the three points in the second half at the Stade General Seyni Kountché, when substitute Ahmed Abdullahi slotted into the net in the 78th minute after a series of onslaughts left the Ghanaians in disarray.

Sunday’s win leaves Nigeria top of Group B and needing just one point to seal passage into the semi-final of the competition.

Bosso’s wards will face Burkina Faso in their second group game on Wednesday knowing that they will book a place in the final four should they avoid defeat against the Burkinabes.

Only the two finalists at the competition will qualify for next year’s U20 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Egypt.