THE Flying Eagles got off to a brilliant start at the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Niamey, Niger Republic with a 2-0 win over Ghana tonight.
Ibrahim Mohammad and Ahmed Abdullahi scored the goals to put the Nigerian side in a good standing in the quest for a semi-final ticket.
Muhammad put the Flying Eagles on the way to the key win after only six minutes against the Black Satellites, who won the tournament in 2020.
Ladan Bosso’s side dominated possession after going ahead, leaving the Ghanaians under pressure.
Adams Olubi could have made it 2-0 for Nigeria towards the end of the first half but could not convert his chance after a brilliant team move carved open the Ghanaian defence and left him one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
The Flying Eagles eventually made their dominance count in the second half at the Stade General Seyni Kountché, when substitute Abdullahi struck in the 78th minute.
The three points lifted Nigeria to the top of Group B and in pole position to qualify from a pool of only three teams. The Flying Eagles will play their last match of the group on Wednesday against Burkina Faso.
The result could determine the fate of Cup holders and reigning African champions Ghana, as they would be condemned to defeat the Burkinabes when both teams meet at the same venue on Sunday next week.
Scorer of Nigeria’s first goal Muhammad was named the man of the match.
The two finalists at the tournament will qualify for the 2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
