Defending champions Ghana succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Nigeria in their 2022 West Africa Football Union (Wafu) Zone-B Cup of Nations qualifying opener Sunday afternoon.
The Black Satellites just did not come to the party from the start, going down as early as the 6th minute of the Group B encounter at Stade Général Seyni Kountché in Niamey, Niger.
It was Ibrahim Muhammad who gave the Flying Eagles the headstart.
Coach Karim Zito’s charges failed to react and at some point in the game looked to lack ideas in outwitting the opposition.
Come the 78th minute, Nigeria made it 2-0.
Substitute Ahmed Abdullah powered his way through about three players and unleashed a shot that took a wicked deflection off one of the Ghana defenders to completely beat goalkeeper Obeng Sekyere.
Ghana’s next game – a must-win – is against Burkina Faso on May 14.
The top two teams in the group secure qualification to the 2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) to be hosted by Egypt.
