Nigeria’s U20 team delivered an emphatic 4-1 win over Benin in their second group match of the WAFU B U20 Cup, held in Ghana, firmly placing themselves in contention for a spot in the next round.
After a cagey 1-1 draw with hosts Ghana in their opening fixture, the Flying Eagles needed a statement performance — and they produced it in style, despite falling behind early in the contest.
It was Benin who broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute through Junior Olugbade, who capitalised on a lapse in Nigeria’s defence to give his side a surprise lead.
The early goal gave the Beninese a temporary lift, but Nigeria responded with increasing urgency and control as the half wore on.
Their pressure paid off in the 38th minute when Abdoulayi Abiodun struck the equaliser, ensuring both sides went into the break level.
The momentum, however, had clearly shifted in favour of the Nigerians by that point.
The second half saw Nigeria take full control.
In the 60th minute, Ezekiel Anthony calmly slotted home to hand his team the lead for the first time in the match.
From there, the Flying Eagles continued to dictate play, tightening defensively and probing for further openings.
As the clock ticked down, Nigeria’s superiority became even more pronounced.
Imrana Muhammad extended the advantage in the 87th minute, leaving Benin chasing shadows.
With the opposition demoralised and stretched thin, Abduljelil Mustapha sealed the result in stoppage time, netting Nigeria’s fourth goal in the 90+4th minute to cap off a clinical team performance.
The result gives Nigeria four points from two matches, significantly boosting their chances of progressing from the group stage.
More importantly, it showcased their attacking depth and ability to bounce back from adversity — a valuable trait in tournament football.
Benin, meanwhile, will be left to regroup after a humbling defeat, having started brightly but faded under pressure.
With their defensive vulnerabilities exposed, their hopes of advancing now hang in the balance.
For Nigeria, the mission is clear: build on this commanding victory and continue their push for the title.
With confidence restored and momentum building, the Flying Eagles look ready to soar further in the competition.
