Meteors lose to Nigeria

Ghana’s Olympic side, the Black Meteors appeared to be heading home when they stumbled before their Nigerian counterparts who handed them a 2-0 defeat yesterday in their Group B encounter at the ongoing All Africa Games played at the Stade de Olympique de Unity Stadium in Kintele, Brazzaville.

A brilliant finish by striker Junior Ajayi Oluwafemi in the 54th minute and a late flick on by midfielder Kingsley Sokari in the 86th minute were all the Nigerians needed to progress to the semi-finals.

It leaves the Meteors with a slim chance of progressing as they pray for the Nigerians to beat their Senegalese opponents by three goals on Saturday.

Nigeria took control of the game in the early stages with great ball possession as they took over the midfield, leaving the Ghanaians to chase their shadows.

They came close in the 35th minute as a brilliant combination between Oduduwa Segun Tope and Dumte Pyagbara saw the latter missing a great opportunity.

But the Ghanaians could no longer escape the onslaught of the Nigerians and in the 54th minute winger Aminu Umar latched onto the ball on the right and found striker Oluwafemi on the left who rounded two Meteors defenders before beating goalkeeper Richard Ofori in the Ghana post.The Nigerians increased the tally in the 86th minute through Sokari.

Meanwhile, Gifty Mensah and Victoria Asmah failed to progress in the ladies doubles badminton quarter-finals after losing to their Egyptian opponents 21-16 and 21-14 respectively.