WAFU Zone B U-20 Boys Cup: Nigeria fight back to hold Ghana in group A opener

Ghana and Nigeria sold out a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the 2025 WAFU Zone B U-20 Boys Cup at the Ghanaman Soccerman Centre of Excellence on Thursday, July 10.

The much anticipated encounter was a repeat of the 2024 WAFU AFCON U-20 qualifiers where the Flying Eagles defeated the Black Satellites by 2-1 in the final played in Togo.

It was equally an opportunity for Ghana to redeem their image after a subpar performance at the 2025 AFCON U-20 in Egypt where they failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

Ghana showed great resilience, managing to control the middle of the park when they possessed. A beautifully crafted passing exchange that started from Ghana’s own half found captain Aziz Musibau who cut in the opening goal with twenty four minutes played.

Ghana continued to enjoy a lion share of ball possession with Nigeria showing glimpses of their good self with occasional insurgence at the wings. The solitary strike first half strike by Aziz Musibau separated the two sides moving into the half time break.

The phase of the second half did not change that much as Ghana remained resolute but Nigeria fought tooth and nail to find the equalizer which came in late in the game.

A well floated corner kick on the 83rd minutes saw Abdullahi Muhammed jump above the Ghana defence to head home their equalizer. The tournament will continue on Friday with two games as Group B gets underway.

Match Schedule

July 10, 2025: Group A

July 11, 2025: Group B

July 13, 2025: Group A

July 14, 2025: Group B

July 16, 2025: Group A

July 17, 2025: Group B