WAFU B U20 Championship: Five observations from Flying Eagles 2-1 win against Black Satellites

Nigeria successfully defended their title in the WAFU Zone B tournament with a 2-0 victory over Ghana on Wednesday night at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé.

Kparobo Arierhi, a standout player from Beyond Limit, opened the scoring for Nigeria with a composed finish in the 33rd minute.

Just before halftime, he doubled Nigeria's lead with a powerful shot that found the roof of the net, leaving the Ghanaian goalkeeper with no chance.

In the 73rd minute, Ghana pulled one back, beating Harcourt with an effort inside the box.

Despite Ghana's attempts to equalize, Nigeria maintained their lead and secured the win.

Allnigeriasoccer.com presents five observations from the game.

One Change for Nigeria

Coach Aliyu Zubairu implemented a strategic alteration to the lineup that achieved a 3-1 victory against Niger in the semifinal.

He brought back Sabiu Ibrahim into the defensive midfield role after missing the previous match due to an ankle injury.

Sabiu's presence was felt significantly on the pitch. He played a pivotal role in maintaining Nigeria's ball control, particularly in the first half, while also providing essential support to the defense.

Huge Support for Ghana

While Nigeria triumphed over Ghana in Togo, it was the Ghanaians who enjoyed the majority of support in the stadium.

Due to their proximity to Togo, the host country, many Ghanaian fans were present to cheer on their team.

Nevertheless, Nigeria showcased composure and maturity to ultimately clinch the victory.

Kparobo Arierhi Stands Out

Kparobo Arierhi emerged as the star of the final, scoring both of Nigeria's goals and demonstrating exceptional composure and clinical finishing.

His performance went beyond just the goals; he consistently troubled the Ghanaian defense with his positioning, skills, pace, and football intelligence.

In the 78th minute, Kparobo was replaced by Divine Oliseh, as Nigeria held on to the victory.

With such a display, he is expected to be one of the team's standout players moving forward.

Improved Second Half Performance

In stark contrast to Nigeria's dominance during the first half, where they scored two goals and created numerous opportunities, Ghana made notable adjustments in the second half.

This shift in dynamics presented significant challenges for Nigeria as they struggled to break out of their half.

Ghana's persistence paid off when they managed to net a goal; however, it wasn't enough to secure a comeback as Nigeria held firm to clinch the victory.

Solid Defensive Display from Nigeria

The Flying Eagles showcased a robust defensive performance in their win over Ghana on Wednesday.

While Nigeria enjoyed control of possession throughout the first half, they were compelled to adopt a more resilient approach during the second half, as Ghana mounted a threatening effort to equalize.

Nigeria's defensive unit worked diligently to neutralize most of Ghana's attacks, though the Ghanaians found success once, scoring in the latter stages of the match.

Nonetheless, Ghana will reflect on their numerous missed opportunities that could have changed the game's outcome.

Despite the mounting pressure from Ghana, Nigeria's steadfast defense ultimately secured their victory and allowed them to retain the tournament title.

Adeyemi Adewale

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