runners-up in the Africa Cup of Nations In a friendly international match played on Friday, March 22, Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1. Ademola Lookman of Atalanta and Cyriel Dessers of Rangers scored goals in either half to seal the victory over the 10-man Black Stars, who had defender Jerome Opoku sent off early in the second half.
In front of a nearly empty Stade de Marrakech in Morocco, the Super Eagles, who were defeated by the host nation Ivory Coast at the AFCON final in February, dominated the game for the majority of it. However, after Jordan Ayew converted a stoppage-time penalty, the game ended with far more uncertainty than coach Finidi George would have liked.
Nigerian XI (3-4-3, from right to left): 6. Semi Ajayi — 23. Stanley Nwabali (GK), 21. Awaziem Chidozie, 5. Bright Osayi-Samuel — 2. Benjamin Tanimu 8. Frank Onyeka 4. Ndidi Wilfredo 13. Kelechi Iheanacho — 14. Bruno Onyemaechi 9. Alex Iwobi, 17. Cyriel Dessers Left to right, Ghana XI (4-2-3-1): 1. Lawrence Ati-Zigi (GK) — 2. Alidu Seidu, 5. Edmund Addo 19. Jerome Opoku 16. Baba Idrissu, — 17. Patrick Kpozo, 21. Ernest Nuamah — 24. Abdul Samed Salis 8. Jordan Ayew — 25. Antoine Semenyo; 9. Forson Amankwaa; Kelechi Iheanacho nearly opened the score with a tease of a free kick that created confusion in the Ghana penalty area, and he also forced a wonderful stop from Lawrence Ati-Zigi with a strong half-volley. After the first half ended, with about seven minutes remaining, Dessers gave Nigeria
Ghana began the second half positively as Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo blasted a shot over the bar after a brief break.
However, any chance of a comeback was dashed when Opoku was shown a straight red card, leaving the few onlookers inside the stadium perplexed. It was unclear if the Belgian team OH Leuven,
where the defender was on loan from Leicester City, had been sent off for speaking to the referee or for raising his elbow during an aerial challenge. Tariq Lamptey, a replacement, nearly scored a curling shot from the edge of the box as Ghana rallied admirably in their debut game under new coach Otto Addo, but Lookman’s finish in the 84th minute put an end to the game.
Tonight, we are sure having the best Jollof for dinner as always ‘NAIJA JOLLOF’ #SoarSuperEagles #NGAGHA pic.twitter.com/Jsd0rQqCzi
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 22, 2024
Nigeria vs Ghana lineups, team news
Nigeria were missing a host of key players for this match with captain William Troost-Ekong ruled out through injury alongside full-back Ola Aina and striker Victor Boniface.
Napoli forward Victor Osimhen was not involved for new head coach Finidi George, but Premier League star Alex Iwobi played a decisive role.
Nigeria XI (3-4-3, right to left): Nwabali (GK) — Ajayi, Awaziem, Tanimu — Osayi-Samuel, Onyeka, Ndidi, Onyemaechi — Iheanacho, Dessers, Iwobi
Nigeria subs: Uzoho, Ojo, Collins, Lookman, Umar, Tella, Dele-Bashiru, Simon,. Yusuf, Onyedika, Bassey, Omeruo
Otto Addo has returned for a second spell in charge of Ghana, following their AFCON exit in January, but the key absentee for the Black Stars remains Arsenal’s Thomas Partey.
Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Willams were all included in the squad by Addo.
Ghana XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Ati-Zigi (GK) — Seidu, Addo, Opuko, Kpozo — Idrissu, Samed Salis — Nuamah, Amankwaa, J. Ayew — Semenyo
Ghana subs: Odoi, Adams, Issahaku, Bukari, Wollacott, Lamptey, Abu, Annan, Nurudeen, Osman, Asare.
𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 – Our international friendly against Nigeria ends in a defeat.
🇬🇭 Ghana 1️⃣-2️⃣ Nigeria 🇳🇬
⚽️ Jordan Ayew 90+3’ *pen* | Dessers 38’ *pen*, Lookman 83’. #BlackStars | #GHANGA pic.twitter.com/nseFMfGjoq
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) March 22, 2024
