Izuchukwu Okosi
Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Wednesday night beat Ghana 2-1 to reach the final of the 2025 Unity Cup tournament in London.
Prime Business Africa here presents four takeaways from the Eagles’ performance.
Join our WhatsApp Channel1. Dessers deserves more chances
Rangers FC striker, Cyreil Dessers, scored Eagles first goal.
The striker who could have chosen to represent Belgium through one of his parents has shown enough patience.
His good performances when given the opportunities in friendlies should be commended by more games in crucial moments. It was his third goal in seven previous appearances.
2. Nwabali impressive
Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, seem not ready to give up his first team place and gloves.
He made crucial saves, especially in the first half to keep the Ghanaians at bay.
3. Ghana comeback
The Ghana side had an average first half but when the game resumed after the break, they put the Eagles’ defence under intense pressure.
The efforts paid off as they (Ghana) got a late goal albeit too little, too late for an unlikely stalemate.
4. Home-based contingent
The home-based players had a good game and deserve such opportunities in the friendly against Russia.
Previous Meetings Between Nigeria and Ghana
4 Sep 1977 (Ecowas Cup): Nigeria 2 Ghana 1
8 Mar 1978 (AFCON): Ghana 1 Nigeria 1
21 July 1978 (All-Africa Games): Ghana 0 Nigeria 0
1 May 1983 (ECA Anniversary): Ghana 1 Nigeria 0
15 Oct 1983 (Olympics Qualifier): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0
30 Oct 1983 (Olympics Qualifier): Ghana 1 Nigeria 2
5 Mar 1984 (AFCON): Ghana 1 Nigeria 2
27 July 1986 (Friendly): Ghana 2 Nigeria 0
2 Sep 1990 (AFCON Qualifier): Ghana 1 Nigeria 0
13 Apr 1991 (AFCON Qualifier): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0
23 Jan 1992 (AFCON): Ghana 2 Nigeria 1
9 Mar 1994 (Friendly): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0
28 Aug 1999 (Friendly): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0
11 Mar 2001 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 0 Nigeria 0
29 July 2001 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 3 Ghana 0
3 Feb 2002 (AFCON): Ghana 0 Nigeria 1
15 Dec 2002 (Friendly): Ghana 0 Nigeria 1
30 May 2003 (LG Cup): Nigeria 3 Ghana 1
23 Jan 2006 (AFCON): Ghana 0 Nigeria 1
6 Feb 2007 (Friendly): Ghana 4 Nigeria 1
3 Feb 2008 (AFCON): Ghana 2 Nigeria 1
28 Jan 2010 (AFCON): Ghana 1 Nigeria 0
11 Oct 2011 (Friendly): Ghana 0 Nigeria 0
25 Mar 2022 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 0 Nigeria 0
29 Mar 2022 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 1 Ghana 1
23 Mar 2024 (Friendly): Ghana 1 Nigeria 2
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
