
29/05/2025
Oshimen, Lookman absent as Super Eagles Stunts Black Stars 2-1 in London
By: Abdulmalik Abdulwahab
The Nigeria men’s national team—Super Eagles thrashes Black Stars of Ghana 2-1 during their debut in the Unity Cup semifinal on Wednesday night at the Gtech Community Stadium in London.
The missing of Galatasaray forward, Victor Osimhen and Atalanta winger, Ademola Lookman was not felt, as their backups stepped up to the ceremony. Meanwhile, the Super Eagles started brightly, putting early pressure on the Black Stars in the opening minutes of the game.
Nigeria's attacking intent paid off when Remo Stars’ Sodiq Ismaila delivered a cross from the right, finding Cyriel Dessers, the Rangers goalscorer and the SPFL Golden Boot winner, who controls the ball on his chest after which he slotted with his right foot from the middle of the area and puts the ball past stranded Ghana shot stopper, Benjamin Asare.
The striker controls the ball on his chest after a cross, hits it with his right foot from the middle of the area and puts the ball past goalkeeper Asare.
Five minutes later, Nigeria’s advantage was extended by Ghana’s Razak Simpson who accidentally turned the ball into his net, after a free kick from the right side by Samuel Chukwueze is deflected and lifted in to the box by Oluwasemilogo Ajayi gifting the Super Eagles a crucial double goal.
The Super Eagles and the Chippa United Goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali made an expensive error in the 30th minute but redeemed himself with a crucial save that resulted in a corner kick. Eric Chelle’s men nearly scored a third goal in the 40th minute when Frank Onyeka’s long-range effort was deflected, only to be saved by goalkeeper Benjamin Asare.
Nigeria continued to cause all manner of problems in the Ghana defence and first the Black Stars goalkeeper was forced to produce a reflex save to prevent an own, before the Ghanaian defender cleared to safety on the goalline another defensive mix-up—they struggled to respond, meanwhile, failing to record a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.
The Malian-Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle brought on Kano Pillars captain, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho for Samuel Chukwueze and Papa Daniel in the 61st minute.
The Black Stars of Ghana pulled one back in the 71st minute through a first-time strike from Ghanaian substitute, Brandon Asante-Thomas, who receives a low cross from the left side of the box, finishes with his left foot and put the ball past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Five minutes later, Jordan Ayew plays the pivot inside the box and passes to Abu Francis in depth, number 27 shoots low and goalkeeper Nwabali makes a good save before the end of the match. Nigeria's goalkeeper secures the victory for the visiting team, making the super eagles of Nigeria