In a thrilling international friendly clash held in Morocco, the Super Eagles of Nigeria emerged victorious, defeating the Black Stars of Ghana with a scoreline of 2-1.
The match showcased dynamic performances from both sides, with Cyril Dessers and Ademola Lookman standing out as the goalscorers for Nigeria.
Dessers opened the scoring with a well-converted penalty kick in the 37th minute after a Ghanaian player handled the ball inside the box. Lookman extended Nigeria’s lead with a fantastic goal, capitalizing on an excellent assist from Alex Iwobi.
Despite a late surge from the Black Stars, who managed to pull one goal back through a penalty scored by Jordan Ayew in stoppage time, Nigeria maintained their composure and secured the victory.
Ghana faced an uphill battle after being reduced to ten men following Opoku’s dismissal in the 56th minute.
Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali showcased his prowess with crucial saves, thwarting Ghana’s attempts to equalize.
Both teams displayed tactical prowess, with Nigeria adopting a direct style of play under the guidance of coach Finidi, while Ghana, led by new coach Otto Addo, emphasized their passing game.
Notably, the absence of key players such as Victor Osimhen for Nigeria and Mohammed Kudus and Thomas Partey for Ghana presented opportunities for emerging talents to shine.
Benjamin Tanimu, making his full international debut, showcased promising skills despite the game’s intensity.
Looking ahead, Nigeria is set to face Mali in another friendly encounter at the same venue, Grande Stade de Marrakesh in Morocco, on Tuesday.
As both teams continue their preparations, the victory against Ghana serves as a confidence boost for the Super Eagles.