Ghana, Nigeria Set for Fierce Showdown as WAFU B U20 Championship Kicks Off
One of West Africa’s fiercest football rivalries takes centre stage this Thursday as Ghana and Nigeria clash in the opening match of the 2025 WAFU Zone B U20 Championship at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence.
In what promises to be a thrilling curtain-raiser, the defending champions, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, face hosts Ghana’s Black Satellites in Group A. With just three teams — Nigeria, Ghana, and Benin Republic — in the group, every point matters, and Thursday’s fixture could be decisive in the race for the semi-finals.
Rivalry Renewed
This isn’t just another tournament opener. It’s a high-stakes meeting between two of Africa’s most successful youth football nations. Nigeria arrive in Prampram as back-to-back WAFU B champions, having lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2024. Their most recent triumph came at Ghana’s expense — a 2-1 win in last year’s final — a defeat the Black Satellites are desperate to avenge on home soil.
Recent history favours Nigeria, who have beaten Ghana in their last three U20 encounters:
- 2015 U20 AFCON: Nigeria 2-0 Ghana
- 2018 WAFU U20 Cup: Nigeria 4-2 Ghana
- 2024 WAFU B Final: Nigeria 2-1 Ghana
Despite a spirited effort in last year’s final, Ghana couldn’t recover from Kparobo Arierhi’s first-half brace. Revenge will be on their minds as they step out in front of a home crowd.
Team News
Nigeria head coach Aliyu Zubairu has opted for a blend of experience and youth. Key returnees from the team that finished third at the 2023 U20 AFCON — including captain Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Divine Oliseh, and goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt — bring leadership and tournament know-how. They’re joined by exciting new faces like Clinton Andy, Abba Sadiq, and Qudus Olayiwola, who will be eager to make their mark.
Ghana, led by coach Desmond Ofei, will rely on home advantage and team cohesion. The squad features several players from the domestic league, familiar with the local conditions and bolstered by strong fan support.
Coaches’ Corner
Desmond Ofei (Ghana):
“We are focused, we are prepared, and we are playing at home. The boys understand the weight of this fixture.”
Aliyu Zubairu (Nigeria):
“This tournament in Ghana offers us a good window to showcase a few more players. We intend to use the matches as preparation for the FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile.”
Nigeria’s Probable Lineup (4-3-3)
GK: Ebenezer Harcourt
DEF: Daniel Bameyi (c), Odinaka Okoro, Abba Sadiq, Marvelous Freedom
MID: Bidemi Amole, Divine Oliseh, Ezekiel Kpangu
FWD: Qudus Olayiwola, Imrana Muhammad, Tahir Maigana
Match Details
- Fixture: Ghana U20 vs Nigeria U20
- Date: Thursday, July 10, 2025
- Time: 15:00 GMT
- Venue: Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, Prampram, Accra
- Competition: 2025 WAFU Zone B U20 Championship (Group A)
What to Expect
With high intensity expected from the outset, this match could be decided in midfield, where Nigeria’s physicality and tournament experience may provide the edge. Ghana, however, will be buoyed by the home crowd and a burning desire to reverse their recent fortunes against their arch-rivals.
A win on Thursday could set the tone for the entire tournament — and for both teams, failure is not an option.
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