Nigeria’s Flying Eagles beat Ghana’s Black Satellites 2-0 on Wednesday at the Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar, Senegal to reach the final of the 19 African Under-20 Championship.
A goal in each half from Obinna Nwobodo and Musa Muhammed ensured Nigeria confirmed their place in the ultimate game of the championship which began on March 8.
However, in spite of the scoreline, Nigeria met their toughest opponent so far at the competition in a Ghana team which took control of the game from the onset.
For the first time, the Flying Eagles were exposed and were found wanting as the Ghanaians did not allow them to play their game.
By the quarter-hour mark, the Nigerians had yet to find their rhythm.
Midfielder Yaw Yeboah and forward Benjamin Tetteh gave the Nigerian defence so much to worry about, but it was Yeboah who remained their biggest threat.
The Nigerians broke the deadlock with a rare chance from a corner-kick in the 22nd minute, after Ifeanyi Matthew laid a cross for Obinna Nwobodo who headed home.
The Satellites resumed on the same offensive tempo with consistent raids which kept the Nigerian defence busy, with Aboagye, Yeboah and Tetteh all having shots at goal.
But they failed to make their dominance count, and the Nigerians then extended their lead through a counter-attack which saw Ghana defender Patrick Asmah bringing down Ifeanyi.
Team captain Musa Muhammed converted the penalty kick to seal the game for his side to cruise to victory.
They have now booked a date against winners of the other semi-final, between Mali and Senegal on Thursday, in the final on Sunday.
