Ghana loses to Nigeria

The Black Satellites were drubbed 2-0 by the Flying Eagles of Nigeria in their African Youth Championship (AYC), semi final match played in Dakar on Wednesday.

The results means Ghana will have to aim for bronze on Sunday when they meet the loser of the other semi-final match between host Senegal and Mali.

Ghana enjoyed an opening advantage, visiting the Nigerian defence three times within the first four minutes with Clifford Aboagye masterminding well through the middle.

Nigeria broke after surviving the early threats, and set off Awoniyi Taiwo who walked through the Black Satellites’ defence only to be stopped in his tracks by advancing goalkeeper Michael Sai in the sixth minute.

The Black Satellites responded with an attack on their own with Yaw Yeboah drawing a big save from goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo with a free kick just before the final third.

Nigeria sprints into the lead in the 22 minutes through Obinna Nwobodo who beat Sai at the far post with a header from a second corner in succession that left the Ghana defence vulnerable.

The Nigerians almost doubled the advantage two minutes on following another attack that saw Sai fumble to grasp only for the ball to be whipped away to the relief of the Black Satellites.

Ghana almost drew level half an hour into the match with Yeboah, who minutes earlier tested goalkeeper Enaholo squeezed a low one that deflected off the post to safety.

Nigeria against the run of play doubled the advantage from the spot after Patrick Asmah caught advancing Muhammed Musa in the box.

The Flying Eagles captain, Musa after getting fouled stepped forward to beat goalkeeper Sai with a grounder to consolidated their lead in the 72 minutes.

The goal deflated Black Satellites who until the second goal had proved dominate and wasteful in equal measure, losing their hold in every department on the pitch.

Source: GNA