By Emmanuel Bamfo 
The Jollof Derby drama reached boiling point in Yamoussoukro as Ghana’s Black Maidens stumbled against rival Nigeria. Our U17 girls put up a brave fight on Friday night, but a late surge from the Flamingos sealed a painful 4-2 defeat for the defending champions.
Coming off an emphatic opening win over Burkina Faso, expectations were sky-high among Ghanaian football fans. However, defensive lapses and sharp finishing from our West African neighbours ruined what should have been a glorious night for the team.
First Half Pressure and Early Setbacks
The Flamingos took early control of the game with direct attacking play. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi broke the deadlock around the half-hour mark before captain Harmony Chidi doubled Nigeria’s advantage right on the stroke of halftime.
Going into the break two goals down felt like a cold shower for head coach Joe Nana Adarkwa and his technical team. The Maidens needed a quick tactical reaction to turn the tide before the game slipped away completely.
Spirited Second Half Comeback Attempt
Ghana came out aggressive in the second period, seizing control after Nigeria’s Elizabeth Adesuyi received a red card in the 59th minute. Captain Seidatu Wahab immediately capitalized on the numerical advantage, scoring her second goal of the tournament to give Ghana hope.
Even after Nigeria struck back to make it 3-1, substitute Gloria Ameaa slotted home a late goal in the 90th minute to set up a tense finish. Sadly, Nigeria quickly punished a defensive error from a 25-yard set piece to bury any chance of an equalizer.
Must-Win Clash Against Togo Next
Despite this painful setback, the tournament is far from over for our talented young squad. With three points already secured, the Black Maidens can still seal qualification to the knockout rounds with a strong performance in their final group fixture.
Ghana faces Togo on Monday, September 21, 2026, in a decisive match that requires complete concentration. If the Maidens fix their defensive organization and keep their tactical composure, our girls will easily march back to winning ways.
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Source: Ghana News Page