Nigeria cements supremacy over Ghana with slender victory in London

Nigeria sealed their supremacy over Ghana with a 2-1 victory in London

By Emmanuel Akyereko

(Managing Editor)

Nigeria’s Super Eagles confirmed their supremacy over Ghana by edging the Black Stars 2-1 in a keenly contested tie in London on Wednesday night in the 2025 Unity Cup.

Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers struck a 14th minute opener for Nigeria before Nations FC defender Razak Simpson put the ball into his own net 5 minutes later to put the Eagles 2-0 ahead. Ghana, however, were able to pull a goal back through Coventry City’s Brandon Thomas-Asante 20 minutes from full-time.

Dessers has now scored in his last two games against Ghana as he netted from the spot in March 2024 as the Super Eagles defeated Ghana by a similar scoreline in an international friendly.

The Super Eagles will now face Jamaica in the final after the Reggae Boys sealed a 3-2 win over Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday.

Ghana coach Otto Addo handed starting roles to home-based quartet of Kwame Opoku, Razak Simpson, Medeama SC’s Kamaradini Mamudu while Hearts of Oak shot-stopper Benjamin Asare remained in goal.

Meanwhile Nigeria coach Eric Chelle started Rangers forward Dessers who was making a return to international football along with Winfried Ndidi, AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze, and Semi Ajayi.

For Ghana, it appeared Otto Addo was using the tie to test some fresh arsenals ahead of the rest of the qualification games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as he started crucial berths to some fringe players.

Nigeria have maintained their supremacy over Ghana as they have beaten the Black Stars in their last two encounters.