Team Nigeria launched their West Africa Para Games campaign in emphatic style on Friday, dismantling Benin Republic 11–0 in amputee football at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.
Ahmed Usman led the onslaught with four goals, Michael Joel struck a hat-trick, Ahize Daniel added three after coming off the bench, and Ibrahim Ndako rounded off the scoring as Nigeria delivered a commanding performance in their opening fixture of the week-long tournament.
Nigeria carved out the first opening through Usman, whose neat exchange with Joel almost produced an early breakthrough, only for Joel’s effort to cannon off the woodwork.
Moments later, a poor goal kick from the Benin goalkeeper gifted Usman a clear sight of goal, and he punished the error with a crisp finish to put the hosts ahead.
The momentum firmly remained with Nigeria as Joel doubled the lead in the 11th minute with a close-range strike, and within a minute he turned provider, dancing through the defence before squaring for Bethel Emmanuel to tap in the third.
Joel then produced a solo effort to claim his second, and he completed his hat-trick on 20 minutes after cutting inside from the left, giving Nigeria a five-goal cushion at half-time.
The second half brought no respite for Benin. Usman struck again in the 29th minute, before Ndako added another as Nigeria continued to overwhelm their opponents.
Substitute Daniel made an immediate impact, firing in the eighth, then combining twice with Ndako in quick succession to complete his own hat-trick and take the score into double figures.
Nigeria now shift their focus to Saturday’s clash with Cameroon as the competition gains momentum across venues in Abeokuta, including the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Alake Sports Centre and Oke Mosan.
The inaugural West Africa Zone A and B Para Games opened on Friday, drawing more than 700 athletes to Ogun State for the regional multi-sport event.
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