WAFU ZONE B Boys Cup: “Nigeria had to be aggressive against Ghana” – Zubairu

Nigeria’s U-20 head coach, Aliyu Zubairu has said that he had to employ aggressive tactics in the second half to hold Ghana in the 2025 WAFU ZONE B U-20 Boys Cup opener.

The Flying Eagles fought back from a goal down to hold the Black Satellites to a 1-1 draw at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence on Thursday, July 10.

Aziz Musibau fired Ghana ahead in the first half before Abdullahi Muhammed leveled with a connecting header from a well taken corner kick in the 83rd minute.

Aliyu Zubairu said: “The Ghana U-20 side were very aggressive on us [and] ordinarily they were supposed to have got two yellow cards but the referee overlooked, he knows why.

“They were so aggressive, they were so physical and I also told my boys that they have to in the same manner, if they are soft on them, they won’t get it the way we want it.

“So they have to be as aggressive as they can as well so that is what they did and it paid off in the second half.” Aliyu Zubairu said.

Nigeria will face Benin on July 13th in their next game with Ghana battling Benin three days later in the Group B encounter.