WAFU B Boys Cup: Ghana U-20 coach Desmond Ofei admits lack of maturity cost team against Nigeria

Head coach of Ghana’s U-20 men’s team, Desmond Ofei, has admitted that his side’s inexperience proved costly in their 1-1 draw with Nigeria during the opening Group B match of the 2025 WAFU Zone B Boys Cup.

The match was played at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence on Thursday, July 10.

Ghana took the lead in the first half through Aziz Musibau, but Nigeria, who are using the tournament as preparation for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, responded late in the game.

A well-placed corner was headed home by Abdullahi Muhammed in the 83rd minute to deny the hosts all three points.

Reflecting on the result, Ofei acknowledged the strength of the opposition but felt his team should have held on.

“The boys did really well, never an easy first game in a tournament especially in a game against a country like Nigeria,” he said.

“We lacked a bit of maturity at this level to see a game like this through.”

Despite the disappointment, the coach remained optimistic about the path ahead. “We will learn, we will improve… and we will make sure that we will get the three points,” he added ahead of Ghana’s next match against Benin on July 16. Nigeria face Benin on July 13.