GOLDEN EAGLETS OF NIGERIA DEFEATED HOST GHANA IN OPENING GAME OF WAFU U17 ZONE B TOURNAMENT
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets defeated neighbours Ghana’s Black Starlets 4-2 in the opening fixture of the WAFU U17 Zone B tournament.
Ghana’s Black Starlets kicked off the WAFU U-17 Zone B tournament on the worst possible note as the ‘Twinkling stars’ suffered a humbling 4-2 defeat to neighbours Nigeria in the opening game of the tournament at the Cape Coast Stadium.
The West African neighbours renewed their age-long rivalry in the tournament’s opening encounter which saw the Golden Eaglets triumphing over their hosts.
Goals from Emmanuel Michael, Precious Williams, Jubril Azeez and Light Ike handed Ghana a tough reality check in their own backyard.
How did the Golden Eaglets soar above the Black Starlets…
After a frantic start by the hosts, coach Nduka Ugbade’s charges weathered the storm with their own attacks, forcing the opposition to mistakes.
The incessant attacks from the Golden Eaglets yielded a freekick from the edge of the box which was expertly dispatched by Emmanuel Michael in the 12th minute.
Despite creating some decent opportunities Ghana struggled to level the score and were made to pay for their profligacy when Precious Williams pounced on a rebound to make it 2-0 after 43 minutes.
Jubril Azeez made matters worse for Ghana when he scored Nigeria’s third of the game eight minutes into the second half.
Substitute Abdul Razak Salifu reduced the deficit through a well-taken goal after beating two Nigerian defenders to rifle a shot past the goalkeeper.
With momentum on the side of Ghana and probing to reduce their deficits, Light Ike dealt the hosts a knockout blow in the 78th minute with Nigeria’s fourth.
Despite Collins Agyemang’s late strike, it proved to be a case of much ado about nothing as Nigeria held on to inflict a humiliating loss on their hosts.
