2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship: Nigeria coach admits rivalry clash could have gone either way

Nigeria head coach Abdul Maikaba has described his side's 4-2 victory over Ghana as a hard-fought triumph in one of African football's most intense rivalries, admitting that the encounter could have swung in either direction.

Speaking after the Flying Eagles' successful start to their WAFU B U-20 Championship campaign in Yamoussoukro on Monday, Maikaba reflected on the significance of the fixture and the importance of his team's fast start.

The Nigerian coach made it clear that he holds no illusions about the difficulty of facing Ghana, regardless of the occasion.

"Yes, of course. Anytime Nigeria is playing Ghana, it's a tough game. Like I said yesterday during the press conference, it can go either way," Maikaba stated.

His pre-match prediction proved accurate, as both sides produced an entertaining contest filled with attacking flair and dramatic momentum shifts.

Maikaba revealed that scoring early was a deliberate part of his game plan, with the Flying Eagles targeting the opening 15 minutes to seize control.

"This game would have gone either way, but scoring first gives us that advantage, and we planned for that. That we have to try and score in the opening 15 minutes. And we got it in the first 5 minutes. So we're happy," he said.

The early goal settled Nigerian nerves and allowed them to play with confidence, even as Ghana mounted a spirited comeback.

"Ghana were able to come back, but we were still determined to continue with the lead," he added, praising his players' mental strength in holding off the Ghanaian charge and eventually restoring their two-goal cushion.

The win gives Nigeria early control of Group B and reinforces their status as defending champions. For Maikaba, the performance against their fiercest rivals will serve as a confidence booster as the tournament progresses.

Ghana, meanwhile, must now regroup quickly ahead of their crucial clash with Burkina Faso, with defensive improvements top of the agenda for coach Maxwell Konadu.

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