Nigeria progressed to the knock out stages of the WAFU Cup after beating host Ghana 2-0 in their final group game at the ongoing tournament.
Ghana were already guarantee a spot in the knock out rounds but Nigeria needed a win against the host nation after drawing their first two games against Mali and Guinea respectively.
A nervy first half dominated by the Ghanaians ended 0-0 , and Nigeria were seconds away from giving away a penalty in the second half when goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa appears to trip a forward of the Black Stars who was charging towards goal.
The referee initially looked to have given a spot kick to the Ghanaians but he later clarified when he offered a goal kick to Nigeria, and that scare fired Nigeria back to life as they took the lead moments later.
Anthony Okpotu who finished as top scorer in the Nigeria Professional Football League with 18 goals for Lobi Stars put the CHAN Eagles ahead, before Peter Eneji who starred for Nigeria League Champions put the game beyond the reach of the home team with Nigeria’s second goal of the night.
Nigeria’s other group rivals Guinea played out a 1-1 draw with Mali. A result which means both Nigeria and Ghana are through to the semi finals of the West Africa Football showpiece.
Shedrack Obi
