Nigeria opened up their qualifying campaign for the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in dream fashion, running out to a 2-0 victory over Ghana in their Group B opener on Sunday. The Flying Eagles, grouped alongside Ghana and Burkina Faso, take an early lead in the group with the result and will be confident heading into their other fixture against Burkina Faso. Ghana are set to take on Burkina Faso for their second and final group match next Saturday.
The Nigerian side showed plenty of quality and appeared to be more organized when it came to winning the midfield battle. Just after the six minute mark the Flying Eagles struck first blood when an excellent through ball from midfield sent Ibrahim Mohammed behind the Black Satellites defense, where he navigated around goalkeeper Gregory Obeng before finishing into an empty net.
Ghana had their best look towards the end of the first half when a free kick routine saw the ball laid off to captain and striker Zubairu Ibrahim, who laced a strong effort that forced Nigeria keeper Nathaniel Nwosu to tip the ball around his post.
In the end it was Nigeria who closed out the match in the second half with an excellent individual effort. After Ghana repelled an initial attacking foray, substitute Ahmed Abdullahi collected the ball and produced a nifty dribble move to create space before sliding past two more Black Satellite defenders and striking a rocket of a shot past Obeng to clinch the three points.
Highlights of the match are below.
