The Super Eagles will on Sunday square up with the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica after a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Ghana Black Stars in the semi-final of the Unity Cup at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, London.
The win marked coach Eric Chelle’s second victory in three matches since taking charge of the Nigerian side.
Nigeria started the match aggressively, displaying sharp attacking intent. Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers opened the scoring in the 14th minute after a swift build-up play saw Sodiq Ismail break down the right flank and deliver a precise pass. Dessers coolly finished past the Ghanaian goalkeeper, setting the tone for the encounter.
Just five minutes later, Nigeria doubled their advantage when defender Semi Ajayi rose above the defense to powerfully head the ball into the net. The effort was slightly aided by a deflection off a Ghanaian defender, which wrong-footed the keeper.
Ghana responded by regrouping and ramping up their attacking pressure, controlling more possession in the midfield during the second half.
READ ALSO: Super Eagles land in Rwanda for qualifiers
Their persistence paid off in the 70th minute when Thomas Asante scored a well-constructed goal following a collective team move, reducing the deficit and injecting life back into the Black Stars.
The remainder of the game was tense, with Ghana pushing for an equalizer. In the 89th minute, Ghana’s Abu Francis came close to levelling the score, but Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made a crucial save, denying the attempt and preserving Nigeria’s lead.
This victory propels Nigeria into the final of the Unity Cup, where they will face Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz on Sunday. Both teams have shown strong form throughout the tournament, setting the stage for an exciting final showdown.
Coach Chelle praised his team’s discipline and spirit, highlighting the importance of maintaining focus under pressure.
“The players showed great character tonight, especially in the final minutes when Ghana was pressing hard. We are ready for the final and will give our all,” Chelle said.
