Super Eagles qualify for Unity Cup final against Jamaica after beating Ghana 2-1 in jollof derby

NIGERIA'S Super Eagles have qualified for the final of the Unity Cup where they will face the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica on Saturday after beating Ghana 2-1 in the semi final dubbed the Jollof Derby yesterday.

Thanks to first half goals from Cyriel Dessers and Semi Ajayi, Nigeria saw off local rivals the Black Stars in an entertaining game at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium. Coach Eric Chelle fielded a large number of new boys in the line-up with four of them making their international debuts.

In the first half, Nigeria looked the better and more dangerous team with attackers Dessers, Samuel Chukwueze and Sikiru Alimi all looking lively. It took Nigeria just 14 minutes to find the back of the net through Dessers as the Glasgow Rangers striker latched onto a cross from righback Sodiq Ismaila and slotted home cleanly past Benjamin Asare in Ghana's goal to make it 1-0.

That goal obviously shook Ghana but just five minutes later, they conceded again also from another cross. Samuel Chukwueze swung in a cross close to the halfway line after Nigeria won a freekick and then centreback Ajayi jumped highest to head the ball in the box and his effort hit Ghanaian defender Razak Simpson and trickled into the net to make it 2-0.

For the rest of the half, Nigeria dominated play with chances falling to Dessers and Wilfred Ndidi but they could not convert. Nigeria could have easily put four past the Black Stars but they failed to take their chances.

However, come the second half it was an entirely different affair as the Black Stars pressed and attacked Nigeria like their lives depended on it. However, they had to wait until the 70th meaning before getting their goal courtesy of Brandon Thomas-Asante.

After that, the Ghanaians pressed for an equaliser, throwing everything at Nigeria. Towards the end of the match, the Black Stars looked threatening but Nigeria held on strong to claim the 2-1 victory and bragging rights.

Nigeria will now face Jamaica in the final of the tournament on Saturday. Earlier in the week, Jamaica had beaten their Caribbean neighbours Trinidad & Tobago 3-2, thanks to an injury time penalty, setting up a clash with the Super Eagles.

Nigeria: 

Stanley Nwabali

Sodiq Ismaila
Bruno Onyemaechi
Semi Ajayi
Igoh Ogbu

Wilfred Ndidi
Frank Onyeka
Papa Daniel Mustapha

Sikiru Alimi
Cyriel Dessers
Samuel Chukwueze