Ghana 1–2. Nigeria: The Super Eagles defeat Ghana to go to the Unity Cup Final and face Jamaica

Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1 and advanced to the Unity Cup final by fending off a strong second-half surge.

Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1 in a fiercely contested semi-final match and will now play Jamaica in the Unity Cup final.

Prior to kickoff, Super Eagles head coach Eric Challe had said that the game and their friendly against Russia the following month will be used to get ready for Nigeria’s remaining World Cup qualifying matches. Even though he won, Challe might be worried by his team’s performance in the second half after a strong start was overtaken by late pressure from a determined Ghanaian squad.

With important players like Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Osimhen resting, the game offered forward Cyriel Dessers and domestic players a great chance.

Within the first fifteen minutes, Dessers opened the score by taking advantage of the opportunity. Ismaila Sodiq did a fantastic job, sprinting down the right wing and delivering a precise cross that led to the goal. Dessers kept it under control and finished precisely to put Nigeria ahead.

Seyi Ajayi’s header bounced off Ghanaian defender Razak Simpson and into the net for an own goal a few moments later, doubling the lead. Before halftime, Nigeria came very close to extending their advantage, but Wilfred Ndidi was denied by a fantastic stop from Benjamin Asare, and Ghana’s hopes were saved by a goal-line clearing that followed.

Brandon Thomas-Asante, who scored his first international goal with 20 minutes left, helped Ghana rally and reduce the deficit in the second half. Late in the game, Stanley Nwabali made a spectacular save to deny Abu Francis, while Caleb Yirenkyi nearly made his debut with an equalizer.

In the end, Nigeria persevered to win, guaranteeing a spot in the championship match against Jamaica on Saturday. Following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Trinidad and Tobago, where Richard King converted a stoppage-time penalty to seal the match, Steve McClaren’s Reggae Boyz advanced.