A goal in each half was all Nigeria needed to claim the bragging rights against Ghana’s Black Stars in a 2-1 win on Friday evening.
The Super Eagles scored first courtesy of a Cyril Dessers penalty and a sweet finish from Ademola Lookman of Atalanta. But Jordan Ayew scored a late spot-kick to give the 10-men Ghana a consolation.
Nigeria, fresh off a great campaign where they finished runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) were without the CAF Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, and defender William Troost-Ekong among others. Both are nursing injuries.
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!
The Super Eagles pick up the win over Ghana in Morocco, courtesy of goals from Cyriel Dessers & Ademola Lookman.
Jordan Ayew converted a late penalty for the Black Stars.What did you think of the performance ?
Who was your Man of the Match ? 🤔#NGAGHA #AngelNetworkNews pic.twitter.com/99Yvm30V71— ANN (@angelnetnews) March 22, 2024
When play returned in the second 45 minutes, there were not many changes to the proceedings. Ghana were reduced to 10 men when Jerome Opoku was shown a red card and sent off. 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 the mark.
The unmarked Atalanta man made no mistakes, finishing off cooly from a brilliant Fulham Iwobi’s cross from 12 yards out to double the tally for Nigeria.
Already down to 10 men, Ghana rallied around for a consolation goal. They got just that. Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo was fouled just two minutes into added time. Jordan Ayew stepped up to the plate, converting in the 95th 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.
