The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have secured the bronze medal with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Ghana in the third-place match at the University Stadium, Accra, Soccernet.ng reports.
Abdulmuiz Adeleke’s impressive brace, along with a goal from Imrana Muhammed, ensured Manu Garba’s boys clinched a well-deserved third-place finish.
Home support energized the Black Starlets, leading to their equalizer just 10 minutes after Nigeria’s initial lead. A Nigerian defender inadvertently put the ball into his own net, leveling the score.
Three-time world champions Ghana then took the lead in the 27th minute. Harve Gbafa capitalized on a defensive error, beating Nigerian goalkeeper Dominic Chinedu to put the Black Starlets ahead.
Nigeria’s Abdulmuiz Adeleke, who had previously scored twice in the Eaglets’ 3-0 victory over Togo, attempted to respond six minutes later, testing Ghanaian goalkeeper Michael Armah. However, the danger was cleared.
The Eaglets’ persistence paid off four minutes before half-time when Adeleke scored the equalizer, heading in a cross from John Ogwuche to bring his tournament tally to three.
The second half continued with both teams displaying impressive attacking football. Ogwuche came close to scoring in the 79th minute, but his rebound missed the target.
As the match seemed destined for a penalty shootout, Adeleke once again took center stage. In the second minute of added time, he scored the decisive goal, securing a 3-2 victory for Nigeria and their place at next year’s continental finals.
