WAFU CUP: Nigeria Won and Lost to Ghana Again

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WAFU CUP: Nigeria Won and Lost to Ghana Again

The hosts defeated bitter rivals Nigeria with 4-1 on yesterday night to clinch the title at the Cape Coast Stadium. The Black Stars took the lead in the 44th minute of play, with Sarfo Kwadwo punishing slack defending from the Super Eagles to make it 1-0. Vincent Atingah doubled their lead from the penalty spot. Another spot-kick was awarded to Ghana and Stephen Sarfo converted it to make it 3-0.

Atingah was sent off late in the game, but it did nothing to change the final outcome, as the Ghanaians added one more goal in injury time. A stunning free-kick from Rabiu Ali was merely a consolation for Salisu Yusuf’s men.  Recall that Nigeria had defeated the Black Stars 2-0, when they met during the group stages of the tournament. Captain of the home-based Super Eagles, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, was named the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.

Ezenwa kept four clean sheets leading to the final, against Sierra Leone, Mali, Ghana and Benin Republic. However, he conceded four against the hosts on Sunday, when Nigeria was hammered 4-1 at the Cape Coast Stadium. Ghana’s Stephen Sarfo emerged as the top scorer of the tournament. Sarfo scored a brace in the final to take his goal tally to four in the tournament. Another Ghanian star, Twum Isaac, was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

The head coach of the home-based Super Eagles, Salisu Yusuf while reacting to the defeat, has said there are positives to be taken from their 4-1 loss to Ghana, in the final of this year’s West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Cup.

Stephen Sarfo scored twice for the hosts, while Winnful Cobbina and Vincent Atingah also got on the score sheet for the Black Stars. Rabiu Ali’s late strike from a free-kick was a mere consolation for the Nigerians. “We lost to a good team and they (Ghana) deserved to win because they took their chances and it was a good lesson for us.

“For me the level of the competition was high. This is a good preparation for us ahead of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN). I’m not happy we lost but all the same I’m impressed by the performance of my players in this competition,” Yusuf said afterwards.

Is not easy to get to the final of any competition our home base super eagles did well and emerging as runner up is a victorious feat. However, if we are to critically analyze their performance parallel to that of their opponent and their overall performance at the competition some will say it is by sheer luck or fluke they got to the finally, as many sports lovers through all media, ranging from radio, Television, and social platforms has express their disappointment saying that the home base eagles lacks that football compatibility, tactics, technicality, and composure in lifting the spirit of fans in the field of play, even if they are losing.

 

Read 2477 times Last modified on Tuesday, 07 November 2017 10:33
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Written By:

David Mbonu

Mbonu David is passionate about research and always willing to delve into any field of human endeavor just to be well informed of trends and happenings, both local and global.

Studied at Federal University of Technology Yola, Adamawa State Nigeria, where he obtained his Bachelor of Technology Honors’ (B.Tech Hons.) Library and Information Science. In addition he also obtained a University Diploma in Information and Management Technology from the same University, was active in the Students’ Union Government (SUG), and served as a Senator 7th Republic 2012 under SUG FUTY chapter.

He is an open minded individual, looks at the world with tender eyes of innocence and respect for humanity.

Email:David@TravelDigest.com.ng  



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