WAFU B U20: Maxwell Konadu admits Ghana's tactics backfired after Nigeria defeat

Maxwell Konadu, Ghana U20 head coach, admitted his tactical approach did not produce the desired result after the Black Satellites began their WAFU B U20 Championship campaign with a 4-2 defeat to defending champions Nigeria on Monday at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire. Konadu stated, "It was quite a difficult game. We planned to start with a high press to see how our opponents would react. In the process, we gave away some cheap goals that could have been avoided."

Ghana suffered the setback in their opening Group B fixture. Konadu acknowledged that defensive mistakes played a major role in the outcome. The Black Satellites attempted a high-pressing approach, but costly errors undermined this strategy, allowing Nigeria to take control. Konadu added, "Having said that, we can't take anything away from our colleagues. They did well and played better than us, and we have accepted that. The only thing now is to bounce back and try to win the games ahead of us." The team will play Burkina Faso on Thursday, July 30, and Togo on Sunday, August 2. Ghana has already secured automatic qualification for the 2027 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations as hosts.