WAFU B U20: Arierhi brace propels Nigeria’s victory over Ghana to secure Championship title

Nigeria secured the 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship title on Wednesday night, defeating Ghana 2-1 in Lome, Togo, thanks to a brace from Beyond Limits striker Kparobo Arierhi.
WAFU B U20: Nigeria defeats Ghana to secure Championship title

Nigeria secured the 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship title on Wednesday night, defeating Ghana 2-1 in Lome, Togo, thanks to a brace from Beyond Limits striker Kparobo Arierhi.

Initially on the back foot, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria turned their fortunes around, scoring twice through Kparobo in the first half. Despite Ghana’s second-half goal, they secured their second consecutive WAFU B championship.

Coach Aliyu Zubairu largely stuck with the semifinal-winning lineup against Niger, introducing Muhammad Ibrahim in place of Sulyman Alabi.

After they successfully weathered the initial storm in the game’s opening half-hour, the Nigerians created a chance of their own and that brought the final’s opening goal. Kparobo found some space at the edge of the box after a fine drive from Adamu Maigari before firing low into the bottom right-hand corner in the 34th minute.

Motivated by that lead, the Nigerians pressed forward once again, and after some sloppy play at the back from the Ghanaians, Kparobo latched onto a one-time pass from Bidemi Amole before finishing smartly into the top corner. It was his third goal of the tournament.

Nigerian goalkeeper Harcourt Ifeanyi made a couple of fine saves to deny the Black Satellites before Maigari cleared the ball off the line afterward. However, the Ghanaians got a goal midway through the second half, but the Flying Eagles held on to successfully defend the title they won in Niger two years ago. Earlier in the day, Cote D’Ivoire defeated Burkina Faso 2-1 in the Third-Place game.

Nigeria and Ghana will represent the WAFU B zone in the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

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