WAFU Zone B U-20 Boys Cup: Musibau fires Ghana to bronze

Ghana’s Black Satellites ended their WAFU Zone B U-20 Boys Cup campaign on a high with a spirited 2-0 victory over Niger to clinch third place — and it was skipper Aziz Musibau who stole the show with a dazzling second-half brace at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon yesterday.

Having suffered a painful semi-final loss to Côte d’Ivoire, the young Ghanaians were on a mission to finish strong — and boy, did they deliver.

Musibau, the embodiment of composure and determination, coolly slotted home a controversial 70th-minute penalty before tapping in a second just eight minutes later to seal a memorable win and the bronze medal.

It was the perfect response from Coach Desmond Ofei’s side after their heartbreak earlier in the week, a display full of maturity, grit, and flashes of brilliance.

The turning point arrived in the 70th minute when a deep cross into the Nigerien box struck the outstretched arm of Sahel SC midfielder Abdourahamane Moumiuni. Referee Soro Tuonifere did not hesitate, pointing straight to the spot amid furious protests from the Nigerien players.

In scenes bordering on the chaotic, the entire Niger team stormed off the pitch in protest, halting the game for over five minutes.

But when calm was eventually restored, Musibau stepped up with ice in his veins to send the keeper the wrong way and ignite celebrations among the sparse but vocal home crowd.

Eight minutes later, the captain put the game to bed. Substitute Bless Ege, a livewire from Golden Kick FC, whipped in a low, teasing cross from the right. Musibau, lurking in the box, timed his run to perfection and stabbed home from close range to double Ghana’s lead.

The win was crafted not only through passion but also tactical nous. With the game goalless at half-time and Niger looking the sharper of the two, coach Desmond Ofei rang the changes, making four substitutions at the restart that tilted the momentum Ghana’s way.

In came Ishmael Addo, Kelvin Nkrumah, Kelvin Ahiable and Bless Ege, and the impact was immediate. Ghana began to carve out chances, first through Apetorgbor and then Musibau, both of whom forced brilliant saves from Niger’s goalkeeper Almoustapha Djibo in the 50th and 51st minutes.

Even before the opener, Ghana looked the more likely to score, with Riis Opoku rattling the crossbar with a powerful header as the pressure mounted.

With defeat staring them in the face, Niger’s discipline crumbled. Tackles flew in with reckless abandon, and tempers flared. AS Police defender Mahamane Sani was eventually given his marching orders three minutes from time after a needless off-the-ball incident with Ghana’s Kelvin Nkrumah — a second yellow that summed up Niger’s frustrations.

Despite late flurries from both sides, there were no further goals. After four minutes of added time, the referee blew for full-time, handing Ghana a deserved bronze and restoring pride after a rollercoaster campaign