WAFU B U-20 Qualifiers: Nigerian Players Are Physically Built, Well Organized —Ghana Coach Konadu
Ghana’s coach conceded his side gave away cheap goals in a 4-2 loss to Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, with Muiz Adeleke converting two penalties in the opening group match.
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Ghana’s Black Satellites head coach Maxwell Konadu has described Nigeria’s Flying Eagles as a physically strong and well organised side, after his team suffered a 4-2 defeat in the opening match of the 2026 WAFU B U-20 qualifiers in Cote d’Ivoire on Monday.
Nigeria took the lead in the sixth minute through Olayemi Ayinla, before Ghana equalised through Mohamed Zaidan in the 23rd minute. The Flying Eagles restored their advantage on the half hour mark when Lucky Oraro’s free kick was deflected into the net, and extended the lead to 3-1 at half time when Muiz Adeleke converted a penalty. Ghana pulled one back through a Kelvin Nkrumah penalty in the 60th minute, but Adeleke sealed victory for Nigeria with a second penalty in the 89th minute.
Speaking at his post match press conference, Konadu admitted Nigeria had played the better football on the day, saying his side accepts that and must now bounce back in their remaining fixtures. He explained that Ghana had planned to press high from the start, but conceded that approach led to some avoidable goals.
He credited Nigeria’s physicality and organisation for causing his team problems, saying simply that his own side, while organised too, could not afford to keep giving away cheap goals. Konadu said Ghana’s focus now shifts entirely to fixing their defensive issues ahead of their next fixture against Burkina Faso.
Nigeria will next face Togo’s Junior Sparrow Hawks on Thursday, July 30, at the Yamoussoukro Stadium.
Did You Know?
- Nigeria beat Ghana 4-2 in their opening WAFU B U-20 qualifiers match in Cote d’Ivoire.
- Muiz Adeleke scored twice from the penalty spot for Nigeria in the match.
- Olayemi Ayinla opened the scoring for Nigeria in the sixth minute.
- Lucky Oraro’s deflected free kick made it 2-1 to Nigeria on the half-hour mark.
- Maxwell Konadu is Ghana’s Black Satellites head coach.
- Nigeria’s next group match is against Togo on Thursday, July 30, at the Yamoussoukro Stadium.
- Ghana’s next fixture in the tournament is against Burkina Faso.
