June 04, (THEWILL) – Ghana emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Nigeria, securing a 3-1 penalty shootout win to claim the inaugural WAFU B U-20 Girls Cup title in Kumasi.
The game kicked off with the Falconets applying high pressure in their quest for an early breakthrough, but their opportunities went begging. In the 38th minute, Ghana’s captain, Stella Nyamekye, stepped up and converted a penalty, granting her team a valuable first-half lead.
As the match progressed, Nigeria continued to push for an equaliser, while Ghana remained determined to extend their advantage. However, the first half concluded with the Black Princesses maintaining a 1-0 advantage.
After the break, Nigeria intensified their offensive efforts, with Esther Opeyemi showcasing her skill in the box, but goalkeeper Afi Amenyaku denied her attempt. On the other end, Faiza Seidu attempted to penetrate the Nigerian defence, but her shot was deflected for a corner kick. In the 86th minute, an unexpected turn of events occurred when Afi Amenyaku committed an error, allowing Flourish Sabastien to equalise for Nigeria.
With both teams deadlocked at 1-1 after regulation time, the match proceeded to a tense penalty shootout. Afi Amenyaku redeemed herself by making two crucial saves, thwarting Nigeria’s first two spot kicks. Mary Amponsah then stepped up and confidently netted the winning goal, securing the WAFU B U-20 Girls Cup for Ghana in a thrilling finale.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
