Ghana 1-2 Nigeria: Super Eagles survive second half onslaught to set up Jamaica clash in Unity Cup final
Super Eagles head coach Eric Challe said ahead of kick-off that he wanted to use this game and next month's friendly against Russia as preparation for their remaining World Cup qualifiers.
Challe certainly got the result he would have wanted, but he may have some reservations about the second half performance as a vastly experienced Nigeria side almost let a two-goal lead slip against their Ghanaian counterparts.
With the likes of Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, and in particular Victor Osimhen, all rested, it meant an opportunity for several players based in Nigeria as well as Cyriel Dessers.
The Rangers striker made the most of a rare start at international level by breaking the deadlock inside the opening quarter of an hour, though most of the credit should go to Ismaila Sodiq.
Racing down the right-wing, Sodiq picked out Dessers with a perfectly weighted cross and the centre-forward took one touch to set himself and then fired the ball into the back of the net.
A few minutes later the Super Eagles' lead was doubled as Seyi Ajayi's header went in off Razak Simpson for an own goal before a brilliant save from Benjamin Asare and a clearance off the line denied Wilfred Ndidi making it three before half-time.
Credit to the inexperienced Ghana side as they made a real game of it in the second half and reduced the deficit with 20 minutes to go as substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante scored his first international goal.
Caleb Yirenkyi did his very best to mark his Ghana debut with a goal whilst Abu Francis was denied an equaliser by a superb save from Stanley Nwabali as Nigeria held on for the win. Their reward is a showdown with Jamaica on Saturday.
The Reggae Boyz, now managed by Steve McClaren, came out on top in a five-goal thriller against Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday night with Richard King scoring from the penalty spot deep into injury time to seal a dramatic 3-2 win.
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