With a goal in each half, Nigeria defeated Ghana’s Black Stars 2-1 on Friday night to take home the bragging rights.
First goals came from a penalty kick by Cyril Dessers and a lovely finish by Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman for the Super Eagles. However, Jordan Ayew’s late penalty kick gave the 10-man Ghana team some comfort.
Following an incredible season in which they placed second in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Nigeria was missing several key players, including defender William Troost-Ekong and CAF Player of the Year Victor Osimhen. Both are injuries sustained when nursing.
But from the blast of the whistle, the much-changed Super Eagles side dictated the pace in the Moroccan city of Marrakech.
Nigeria could not get a goal despite dominating the early exchanges. But 37 minutes into the game, Rangers’ Dessers justified interim coach George Finish’s fate in him. He slotted from the spot after a Ghanaian defender handled the ball to give the Super Eagles the advantage.
The first half ended in Nigeria’s favour. Game on!
📷 Photos from the #NGAGHA friendly match #soarsupereagles pic.twitter.com/bQ6yOPtTO5
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 22, 2024
When play returned in the second 45 minutes, there were not many changes to the proceedings. That changed the tune of the game. In the 71st minute, Finidi brought in fresh legs, taking out Dessers and Ndidi for Simon Moses and Raphael Onyedika respectively.
Two minutes later, Lookman came on for debutant Benjamin Tanimu who features for Tanzanian side Ihefu. The Atalanta needed ten minutes to make a mark.
The unmarked winger made no mistakes, finishing off cooly from a brilliant Iwobi’s cross from 12 yards out to double the tally for Nigeria.
Already down to 10 men after Jerome Opoku was shown a red card in the 56th minute, Ghana rallied around for a consolation goal. They got just that. Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo was fouled just two minutes into added time. Skipper Jordan Ayew stepped up to the plate, converting in the 94th minute to reduce the deficit.
Following Thursday’s match, Nigeria’s attention moves to Tuesday’s game against the Eagles of Mali. Both friendly ties are preparatory to the Super Eagles World Cup qualifiers later in the year.