WAUG Group A: UDS Ghana Weather Early Storm to Overpower ABUAD in Six-Goal Thriller

WAUG Group A: UDS Ghana Weather Early Storm to Overpower ABUAD in Six-Goal Thriller

University for Development Studies (UDS) Ghana announced themselves as serious contenders in WAUG Group A with a thrilling 4–2 victory over Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) on Monday, October 5, in a contest that produced two early leads, a dramatic first-half turnaround, and a decisive second-half finish.

ABUAD made the perfect start, taking the lead just two minutes into the game through captain Francis Eso. UDS, however, showed no signs of being rattled, responding almost immediately as Alhassan Ezedeen found space behind the ABUAD defence to level the contest in the fifth minute.

The game quickly developed into an open and fiercely contested battle, with both teams trading attacking moves and fighting for control in midfield. ABUAD regained the advantage in the 33rd minute when Reytit Mangtu found the breakthrough to make it 2–1.

That lead lasted only four minutes. Ezedeen began to exert greater influence on the game, dropping deeper to link play before creating the opening for Ruchard Berko to restore parity in the 37th minute. UDS then completed the turnaround in first-half stoppage time. Mohammed Sulemana Asigre produced the decisive pass for Abdul Baaki, who converted in the 45+1st minute to send the Ghanaian side into the interval leading 3–2.

The second half began with ABUAD attempting to reset their defensive structure, bringing Muhammad El Hussein on for goalkeeper George Gwom bot. But before the adjustment could make an impact, UDS struck again. Nuhu Akusaayela split the ABUAD defence with a well-timed delivery for Ezedeen, who finished clinically to complete his brace and extend UDS's advantage to 4–2.

With the game slipping away, ABUAD made a triple substitution in the 62nd minute, looking for a fresh attacking spark. UDS responded with composure rather than retreating into desperation. Their defensive shape remained compact, their transitions became more calculated, and their substitutions helped disrupt ABUAD's attempts to build sustained pressure.

The difference was not only in the scoreline but also in UDS's control of the game's critical moments. They limited themselves to one booking, with Alhassan Yakubu cautioned in the 53rd minute, while ABUAD picked up yellow cards for Kingsley Onah and Oluwaseun Ajala. No player was sent off.

For ABUAD, the defeat will sting after twice taking the lead. For UDS, the victory showcased something more significant than attacking quality. They demonstrated the ability to absorb setbacks, adjust their approach, and punish opponents when opportunities appeared.

With four goals, two from Ezedeen, and an assist from the UDS talisman, the Ghanaian side leave their opening fixture with maximum points and an early statement of intent in Group A.

Match statistics and player data are based on provisional logs pending official post-match review.