Nigeria delivered a ruthless attacking performance to overpower Benin Republic 4-1 in their second Group A match at the WAFU B U20 Boys Championship in Prampram, Ghana.
Facing elimination after a 1-1 draw against Ghana in their opener, Ladan Bosso’s Flying Eagles needed a response – and they delivered emphatically. Despite falling behind to a superb free-kick from Benin’s Junior Olugbade midway through the first half, Nigeria roared back with four unanswered goals.
La Planet FC’s Mohammed Abdullahi, who scored a late equaliser against Ghana on his U20 debut, continued his hot streak by levelling matters in the 40th minute. A goalmouth scramble fell kindly to Divine Oliseh, whose clever touch set up Abdullahi to fire low past the Benin goalkeeper.
That goal gave Nigeria the momentum heading into the break, and they wasted no time after the restart. Just two minutes into the second half, Anthony Kpangu latched onto a flowing team move and coolly slotted home, giving Nigeria the lead for the first time in the tournament.
Benin tried to rally, but Nigeria’s pace and precision proved too much. Three minutes from time, Olayinka completed a lightning-fast counterattack to make it 3-1. The rout was completed in stoppage time when Abdulazeez’s deflected strike wrong-footed the goalkeeper and rolled into the net.
The result puts Nigeria temporarily top of Group A with four points, ahead of Ghana and Benin who have one apiece. The Flying Eagles will seal a semi-final place as group winners unless Ghana defeat Benin by at least four clear goals in their final match on Wednesday.
For Nigeria, it was a timely reminder of their attacking depth and fighting spirit – qualities that could carry them all the way in this regional competition