WAFU B U17 Championship Ghana 2 Nigeria 3: Adeleke nets injury-time winner in 5-goal thriller 

The Golden Eaglets defeated host country Ghana in the third place of the WAFU B U17 AFCON qualifiers on Tuesday evening to win the bronze medal.

Just two minutes after the start of the game, Simon Cletus almost opened the scoring but surprisingly fluffed his lines.

It was Imrana Muhammad who got the opening goal in the 9th minute, taking advantage of goal mouth scramble.

Harvey Gbafa restored parity for the home side with a brilliant header from a well delivered free kick in the 19th minute.

Gbarfa would give the host the lead in the 27th minute with a clever flick from a free kick conceded by Abdulwarith Yunus.

Boluwatife Ekishola came close to getting a quick response for the defending champions with header inside the penalty area but his effort couldn't threaten the goalkeeper.

John Ogwuche also came close to getting the equalizer from Destiny Samuel's in-swinger but couldn't get his attempt on target.

Ogwuche would set up the equalizer in the 40th minute, delivering a precise cross for Abdulmuiz Adeleke whose header was well placed to beat the goalkeeper.

Two minutes before halftime, Cletus' corner kick found the head of Chika Sylvester but the latter couldn't convert.

Right before the end of the first half, the Black Starlets almost regained their lead but Chinedu Dominic pulled off a brilliant save.

In the opening stages of the second half, Muhammad missed a great chance to give the Eaglets the lead, firing straight at the goalkeeper from Ogwuche's cut back.

In the 55th minute, Adeleke missed the chance to put Nigeria ahead having found himself in one-the-one situation with the goalkeeper.

Dominic had to make another save in the 62nd minute, denying the Ghanaian skipper's effort from long range.

Nine minutes before the stoppage time, the Nigerian shot stopper had to come off with another save to preserve the scoreline.

Few seconds before the final whistle, Adeleke got the winning goal with a brilliant shot after his initial effort had come off the cross bar to put dagger into the hearts of the vociferous Ghanaian crowd.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com