Nigeria’s U20 women’s team handed Ghana’s Black Princesses a 3-1 defeat in a fiercely contested WAFU B U20 Girls’ Cup group-stage encounter on Saturday.
The defending champions, Ghana, were looking to build on their opening-day win over Benin, but the Super Falconets proved too strong in a game that showcased attacking flair and intensity from both sides.
Nigeria took the lead in the 37th minute from the penalty spot after sustained pressure forced a defensive error from the Ghanaians. Just moments into the second half, the Falconets doubled their advantage in the 46th minute, putting Ghana on the back foot.
However, the Black Princesses showed resilience as Sarah Nyarko pulled one back in the 49th minute, igniting hopes of a comeback. Ghana came close to drawing level when Theresa Naa Adjeley saw her shot saved in the 55th minute, a moment that could have changed the game’s momentum.
With just three minutes left on the clock, Nigeria sealed the result with a third goal in the 87th minute, crushing Ghana’s hopes of a late revival.
The defeat leaves Ghana with work to do ahead of their next fixture, as head coach Charles Sampson looks to rally his team back into contention.
The result also highlights Nigeria’s continued dominance in the region, reaffirming their status as one of the strongest youth teams in women’s football across Africa.
