Izuchukwu Okosi
Three-time African champions, Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Saturday evening edged Raggee Boyz of Jamaica 5-4 on penalties at the GTech Community Stadium in London to win the latest instalment of the tournament, reports Prime Business Africa.
Geared towards fostering unity and bilateral relationship between African and Caribbean nations, the competition’s final lived up to the expectations.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Eagles took the lead in the first half through Moses Simon, albeit that did not last long enough as Kaheim Dixon grabbed an equaliser.
The first half ended on that note but AC Milan forward, Samuel Chukwueze, who is noticeably deployed in midfield regained Nigeria’s lead when he slalomed past four defenders to place the ball at the bottom left corner in the 53rd minute.
Jonathan Russell made it 2-2 but neither side converted the chances that came their way subsequently.
The lottery of penalties was required to settle the winner of the final.
Jamaica lost one of their spot kicks but all Nigeria’s kickers – Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Tolu Arokodare, Bruno Onyemaechi and Chrisantus Uche, scored from the 12 yards to hand the Eagles the trophy.
Afrobeats star, D’Banj, was at the stadium to render some of his hit songs to Nigerians in the stands.
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Ghana, the team composed of home-based players, eliminated Nigeria’s Super Eagles B team from the 2023 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualification after a 5-4 penalty shootout loss following a 2-2 aggregate score in the two-legged tie, making Saturday’s game a must-win for Nigeria to avenge the loss.
Algeria hosted the tournament in 2023.
Neither the Reggae Boyz nor the Super Eagles had it easy making it into the final, as they were stretched to the limit by the Soca Warriors and the Black Stars respectively.
The Boyz led 2-0 against the Warriors, only to see their opponents draw level, and had to wait for a fortuitous added-time penalty to emerge victorious.
The Eagles also led 2-0, after only 19 minutes, and looked to be coasting to a resounding win, only to take their feet off the pedal.
Ghana’s youthful ensemble, led by the veteran Jordan Ayew, had the momentum for much of the second half, and after a well-taken goal by Brandon Thomas Asante, came very close to netting the equaliser in added time, only for goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to rise to the occasion.
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.
