Nigeria claimed bragging rights over Ghana as the long-standing rivalry took centre stage in west London. The Unity Cup - an international football tournament that has returned for the first time in over 20 years - served up a game of two halves at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium.
Eric Chelle would have been the happier of the two managers at half-time as his side lead 2-0 thanks to a Cyriel Dessers strike and an own-goal from Razak Simpson in the space of five minutes. However, the Black Stars rallied after the break and reduced the deficit when Brandon Thomas-Asante scored his first international goal.
Urged on by their supporters, Ghana pushed for an equaliser. Their best chance fell to substitute Abu Francis but he was denied by a superb save from Stanley Nwabali in injury time as Nigeria held on for the win. This means the Super Eagles will face Jamaica in Saturday’s final after they overcame Trinidad and Tobago in a five-goal thriller in yesterday’s semi-final. Follow Ghana vs Nigeria back below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
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Nigeria hold on
Nigeria will face Jamaica in the Unity Cup final following a hard fought win over Ghana.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Challe said ahead of kick-off that he wanted to use this game and next month’s friendly against Russia as preparation for their remaining World Cup qualifiers.
Challe certainly got the result he would have wanted, but he may have some reservations about the second half performance as a vastly experienced Nigeria side almost let a two-goal lead slip against their Ghanaian counterparts.
FULL-TIME
THAT’S IT!
Nigeria beat Ghana 2-1
Nigeria hold on for the win and they will face Jamaica for the Unity Cup trophy on Saturday.
Ghana 1-2 Nigeria
90+3 min: Last throw of the dice by Ghana as Mohammed Fuseini replaces the impressive Christopher Bonsu Baah.
Nigeria win a free-kick in a good position and that might be it for this clash.
Ghana 1-2 Nigeria
90+2 min: What a mess! Ghana play the free-kick short and lose possession immediately.
Nigeria try to break but Stuart Atwell gets in the way!
Ghana 1-2 Nigeria
90 min: WHAT A SAVE
Nwabali gets down low to keep out Francis’ effort. Great pass from Ayew to play in the midfielder but the Nigeria goalkeeper was equal to the finish.
Four minutes of added time is signalled and Ghana have a free-kick in a promising position...
Ghana 1-2 Nigeria
89 min: A reminder that if Ghana do equalise and this game is level after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout will commence to decide tonight’s winner.
Ghana 1-2 Nigeria
86 min: CHANCE
It’s that combination again! Ayew crosses to the back post and Yirenky rises highest but can’t keep his header down.
Ghana 1-2 Nigeria
85 min: CHANCE
Ayew’s corner is met by Yirenkyi but he heads wide. Was that the chance for Ghana to equalise?
Ghana 1-2 Nigeria
82 min: More Nigeria changes.
Ugwueze replaces Onyeka, Ifeanyi on for Ajayi.
Meanwhile, Francis replaces Ashimeru in Ghana’s latest change.
Ghana 1-2 Nigeria
78 min: Great ball in behind the Ghana defence by Iheanacho as he picks out Dessers’ run, Ambrosius comes across and bumps the Nigeria striker to the ground but no penalty is awarded.