- Nigeria’s Flying Eagles secured the WAFU U20 title by defeating Ghana 2-1 in an intense final in Lomé
- Forward Kparobo Arierhi led the charge with two goals, propelling Nigeria to victory and earning Man of the Match honours
- Both Nigeria and Ghana have now qualified for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations next year in South Africa, with sights set on the U-20 World Cup
In a thrilling clash that saw grit, skill, and technique on full display, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles defended their WAFU U20 title with a 2-1 victory over Ghana in the championship final on Wednesday night, October 30, in Lomé, Togo.
The win not only sealed Nigeria’s place as champions but also secured a ticket to next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations in South Africa alongside Ghana.
The match kicked off with Nigeria asserting control, dominating much of the first half. Centre forward Kparobo Arierhi emerged as the hero of the night, netting two goals that showed his poise and precision in seizing scoring opportunities. Arierhi, already celebrated for his group-stage winning goal against Côte d'Ivoire, proved once again to be the game-changer for Nigeria.
His first strike came in the 34th minute, showing the finishing prowess expected of a top striker. After collecting a pass at the edge of the box, Arierhi coolly slotted a low left-footed shot into the bottom corner, outwitting the goalkeeper who was left clutching grass.
Arierhi’s second goal was nothing short of spectacular. Nigerian defenders wrested control halfway into the Ghanaian area, and a quick exchange of passes saw Arierhi face-to-face with the Ghanaian keeper. Showing no hesitation, he powered a right-footed shot into the roof of the net, sealing his brace with style. It was a moment that left fans and analysts alike in awe.
Ghana gave a response in the second half, creating intense pressure in Nigeria's half as they sought to close the gap. Goalkeeper Harcourt rose to the occasion, displaying sharp reflexes by blocking an early header and punching away a point-blank shot just before halftime. As Ghana pushed harder in the second half, Nigeria’s defence held firm through a relentless flurry of shots from the Satellites, who were determined to find an opening.
The breakthrough for Ghana finally came in the 74th minute amid a chaotic scramble in the box, resulting in a goal that cut Nigeria’s lead to one. However, Nigeria’s defence, led by Harcourt’s impressive goalkeeping, dug deep to preserve the lead until the final whistle. With Arierhi’s goals proving decisive, he was deservedly named Man of the Match for his brilliant performance.
Following the game, Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), congratulated the team, calling their victory a “welcome gift” for Nigerian sports. This is a promising start, as the Flying Eagles look ahead to the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, a crucial step in their journey toward the U-20 World Cup, he remarked.
Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s Flying Eagles have earned their spot in the 2025 U-20 AFCON and are now setting sights on continental glory. As Dikko emphasised, early preparation will be key for Nigeria as they eye a place in the U-20 World Cup in Chile, where only the top teams from AFCON will qualify.
Super Eagles withdraw from AFCON qualifier after 12-hour airport ordeal in Libya
Previously, TheRadar reported that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) made the difficult decision to withdraw the Super Eagles from their crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya.
This decision followed a distressing 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport, where the Nigerian team was stranded with no assistance from local authorities. The situation quickly escalated into a diplomatic nightmare, leaving players and officials frustrated as they were abandoned in a strange Libya environment.
