Nigeria’s U20 Boys, Flying Eagles, began their campaign in this year’s WAFU B U20 Championship with a statement win on Monday, defeating Ghana’s Black Satellites 4-2 in a pulsating six-goal encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
The game exploded into life early. Olayemi Ayinla gave Nigeria the perfect start in the 6th minute, unleashing a blistering shot that left the Ghanaian goalkeeper rooted to the spot. But the lead didn’t last long. Ghana hit back in the 23rd minute through Mohammed Zaidan to level at 1-1.
Nigeria responded like the champions they are. In the 30th minute, the Flying Eagles restored their advantage when Lucky Oraro’s free-kick took a wicked deflection to make it 2-1. The pressure told again before half-time. In the 38th minute, Nigeria were awarded a penalty, and Muiz Adeleke stepped up with ice in his veins to convert easily, sending the team into the break 3-1 up.
Head Coach Abdu Maikaba made one change at the restart, bringing in Adamu Hussaini for Imrana Muhammad as the Flying Eagles looked to tighten their grip. The second half brought its own drama. Ghana were awarded a penalty in the 60th minute, and Kelvin Nkrumah converted to pull it back to 3-2, briefly swinging momentum. For a spell, the Black Satellites pushed, but the Flying Eagles weathered the storm and slowly regained control of the tempo.
Chances came and went, with Adeleke missing a golden one-on-one in the 84th minute that would have settled Nigerian nerves. That miss only delayed the inevitable. With 89 minutes gone, Adeleke made amends by converting from the spot as the Flying Eagles were awarded a well-deserved penalty.
