Nigeria Suffer Embarrassing 4-1 Loss To Ghana In WAFU Cup Final

Ghana emerged champions of the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations thanks to a 4-1 thumping of bitter rivals Nigeria in a one sided final.

Both sides had clashed in Group A match last week with Nigeria winning 2-0 but the hosts overpowered their rivals in the final played at the Cape Coast Stadium on Sunday.

The Black Stars started the game sharper than they did in the semifinals win against Niger on Thursday.

Super Eagles number 10 Rabiu Ali had a sight of goal but Samuel Sarfo blocked his shot to corner.

In the 33rd minute, goalkeeper Ezenwa Ikechukwu pulled a great save to deny Isaac Twum.

The Super Eagles suffered a crushing blow when hardworking defender Adeleye Aniyikaye was injured and Ariwachukwu Emmanuel took his place.

Sarfo made the dominance of Ghana count with a clinical finish after he cooly controlled the ball on the edge of the box and fired in a low shot in the 44th minute. There was no chance for Ezenwa.

Early in the second half, Super Eagles coach Yusuf Salisu threw on Gabriel Okechukwu for Ubong Friday, who was on a yellow card.

The switch didn't deter Ghana who continued to run down the Nigerian team.

The Black Stars had the chance to increase their lead, when substitute Patrick Razaq was tripped in the box.

Vincent Atinga sent Ezenwa the wrong way from the penalty spot to make the scoreline 2-0 two minutes before the hour mark.

The woes of Nigeria increased as Sarfo kept his cool to put his spot kick past Ezenwa in the 77th minute.

The Black Stars were reduced to ten men in the first minute of additional time when Atinga was sent off for a second bookable offense.

Ghana continued to be ruthless and added another goal. Winful Cobbinah tapped home following a lovely work from Patrick Razak.

Nigeria reduced the deficit with what seemed to be the last action of the game thanks to Ali.

Abayomi Ademetan

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