Nigeria reclaimed the Milo U-13 Africa Championship trophy after beating Ghana 5-4 on penalties at the 3rd edition which ended in Lagos on Saturday. But the Ghanaians showed champion’s mettle when they came from 3-1 to level scores with just about five minutes to the end.
Nigeria opened scoring on the captain, Olusegun Olakunle four minutes into the game watched by illustrious ex-Nigerian internationals, Nwankwo Kanu, Peter Rufai and Ogbonna Kanu. Mustapha Adam Agba’a doubled the lead on 20th minute but Ishahaku Fatawu pulled one back for the Ghanains, restoring hope they might still keep the trophy.
But a determined Team Nigeria represented by pupils of St. Barnabas LGEA, Kwara State increased the lead when Agba’a completed a brace on 20th minute of the first half. Fatawu was on hand again for Ghana when he struck a second on the day and his third of the tournament to reduce the tally to 3-2 before the interval.
Ghana represented by Zogbeli Block A Primary School dominated the proceedings against an obviously fatigued Nigerian side but they were kept at bay by Ayodeji Otoola in goal for Nigeria. But with five minutes of play left, Abdulahi Haruna Rasheed restored parity for Ghana at 3-3 to drag the game into penalties.
Both sides converted their first three penalties and when Ahmed Ishmael failed to convert his kick, hitting the upright, the Nigerians took advantage and made no mistake directing their kicks beyond the goalkeeper.
Agba’a would go home with the golden boots for the highest goal having scored four goals in two matches and Olakunle Olusegun, the Nigerian captain took away the MVP Award presented by Kanu.
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