Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, clinched the WAFU B U20 Championship title with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ghana at Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, on Wednesday. This victory sees Nigeria successfully defend their title, further solidifying their position as a dominant force in West African youth football.
The match’s standout performance came from Nigerian forward Kparobo Arierhi, who struck twice in the first half to give his team a commanding lead.
The first goal arrived in the 35th minute, with Arierhi capitalizing on a fluid attacking move to slot the ball past Ghana’s goalkeeper.
The Beyond Limits FA product didn’t stop there; he doubled the lead just before halftime, leaving the Ghanaians with an uphill task heading into the break.
In the second half, Ghana responded with resilience, pulling a goal back to intensify the contest.
Yet despite their efforts, they could not overturn the deficit, allowing the Flying Eagles to claim a deserved victory and secure their second consecutive WAFU B title.
Nigeria’s road to the final was marked by a strong showing in the semi-finals, where they overcame Niger Republic with an impressive 3-1 victory to book their place in the title match.
The Flying Eagles’ path has been a testament to their grit and improvement, bouncing back from an early tournament loss to Burkina Faso to finish on top.
The team’s success has garnered widespread praise, including from Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau, who lauded their determination and growth throughout the competition.
The NFF is delighted with their performance,” Gusau said ahead of the final.
We believe they have what it takes to go all the way and successfully defend their title.”
Coach Aliyu Zubair has also been instrumental in leading the team through challenges, instilling resilience in his players as they navigated the tournament’s highs and lows.
Under his guidance, the Flying Eagles have demonstrated a promising mix of skill, teamwork, and tenacity, earning them admiration from fans and officials alike.
With the WAFU B title now secured, the Flying Eagles shift their focus to an even greater challenge—the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.
The Nigerian side’s impressive showing has fueled excitement and high expectations for the tournament, where they aim to further showcase their talent on a continental stage.
For now, Nigeria celebrates their youth team’s remarkable accomplishment, while fans eagerly look ahead to the next steps for a squad that has already made a mark in African football.
