Nigeria reclaimed the Milo U-13 African Championship trophy after beating Ghana 5-4 on penalties at the 3rd edition which ended in Lagos on Saturday. But the Ghanaians showed quality when they came from 3-1 to level scores with just about five minutes to the end.

Nigeria opened scoring through their captain, Olusegun Olakunle four minutes into the game watched by ex-Nigerian internationals, Nwankwo Kanu, Peter Rufai and Ogbonna Kanu. Ishahaku Fatawu soon pulled one back for the Ghanaians.

But a determined Team Nigeria represented by pupils of St. Barnabas LGEA, Kwara State increased the lead when Mustapha Adam Agba’a completed a brace on 20th minute. Fatawu was on hand again for Ghana when he struck a second on the day and his third of the tournament to reduce the tally to 3-2 before the interval.

Ghana represented by Zogbeli Block A Primary School dominated the proceedings against an obviously fatigued Nigerian side but they were kept at bay by Ayodeji Otoola in goal for Nigeria. But with five minutes of play left, Abdulahi Rasheed equalised for Ghana at 3-3 to drag the game into penalties.

Both sides converted their first three penalties and when Ahmed Ishmael failed to convert his kick, hitting the upright, the Nigerians took advantage and made no mistake directing their kicks beyond the goalkeeper.

(PUNCH)