Ghana is first African nation to win football 's Under-20 World Cup . Result part of shift in balance of power in West Africa from Nigeria to Ghana . Ghana has stars including Michael Essien , Mohamed Ali , Dominic Johnson . Beyond monetary considerations and administrative stability , Ghana is also reaping the rewards of years of investment in youth football which has produced players like Essien and Muntari -- and now new kid on the block Adiyiah and others . Nigeria has star players but national team struggles with poor infrastructure .
Ghana is first African nation to win football 's Under-20 World Cup . Result part of shift in balance of power in West Africa from Nigeria to Ghana . Ghana has stars including Michael Essien , Mohamed Ali , Dominic Johnson . Nigeria has star players but national team struggles with poor infrastructure .