The 2025 WAFU Zone B U20 Boys Cup kicked off on Thursday as hosts Ghana and Nigeria played out a pulsating 1-1 draw in their Group A opener at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
The Black Satellites started brightly and were rewarded in the first half when team captain Aziz Misbau unleashed a thunderous strike into the roof of the net, sending the home crowd into raptures. Ghanas high-pressing game and relentless pace pinned Nigeria back for much of the opening 45 minutes, with several chances going narrowly wide.
However, the Flying Eagles regrouped after the break and mounted a strong response. Their pressure paid off when Abdullahi Muhammed climbed highest to power home a well-timed header from a corner, silencing the home support and leveling the score.
The match was a fiercely contested affair, with both sides showcasing their physicality and technical quality. Midfield duels were intense, and flashes of individual brilliance kept fans on the edge of their seats. Despite late chances at both ends, neither team could find a decisive goal.
The draw leaves both Ghana and Nigeria with a point apiece in the three-team Group A, which also features Benin. Nigeria will face Benin on Sunday, while Ghana will sit out and await the outcome of that match to determine their semi-final fate.
The opening clash highlighted the rich talent pool in West African youth football and lived up to the historic rivalry between the two footballing giants.
Group B action begins Friday as the tournament continues in Prampram.
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