International Football
Age-long rivalry reignited as Ghana and Nigeria clash in London
Three-time African champions Nigeria and four-time champions Ghana will bring alive the Unity Cup Invitational Tournament in London on Wednesday when both regional rivals clash in the second semi-final of a tournament of immense cultural and sporting relevance.
Both teams bring a number of critical elements into the encounter taking place at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium, including a 74-year rivalry in which Ghana have smiled more than Nigeria, but either team has felt like they lost a World War 3 whenever results did not go their way.
Until March last year, when they won a friendly match against the Black Stars 2-1 in the Moroccan city of Marrakech, thanks to goals from Cyriel Dessers and Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles had not beaten their West African foes in 18 years. That was when Taye Taiwo’s shot from a free-kick outside the box condemned the Black Stars to defeat in a group phase encounter in Port Said, at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Black Stars won the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification pitching both teams together, on the away goal rule, and retain the bragging rights of the biggest win in their clashes – a 7-0 spanking of then Red Devils in a Jalco Cup match in Accra on 30th October 1955. Ghana also won the two teams’ only previous clash at Brentford, running away 4-1 victors in a friendly encounter on 6th February 2007.
However, the Super Eagles have equally had their day in the sun, such as the 3-0 trashing of the Black Stars in Port Harcourt to earn passage to the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals, and eliminating the Cup holders from the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations.
Wednesday’s clash in west London is another opportunity for the Super Eagles to prove their mettle, with Head Coach Eric Chelle having called an interesting blend of home-based talent and boys based overseas.
Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is expected to be in goal, with Semi Ajayi, Felix Agu, Sodiq Ismaila, Igoh Ogbu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Junior Nduka, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi and Waliu Ojetoye available for slots in the defence, and Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Papa Daniel Mustapha, Saviour Isaac and Collins Ogwueze tugging for the midfield shirts. Christantus Uche was yet to arrive in the team’s Doubletree By Hilton Ealing abode as at Tuesday evening.
Ahmed Musa, Simon Moses, Kelechi Iheanacho, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Samuel Chukwueze, Sikiru Alimi and Adamu Abubakar are available for Coach Eric Chelle in the fore-line, as Tolu Arokodare, who a few days ago clinched Belgium Pro League’s top scorer award, was scheduled to arrive on Tuesday night and might not feature having not trained with the team.
NIGERIA, GHANA IN HISTORY
- 20 0ct 1951 (Jalco Cup): Nigeria 5 Ghana 0
- 11 Oct 1953 (Jalco Cup): Ghana 1 Nigeria 0
- 30 Oct 1954 (Jalco Cup): Nigeria 3 Ghana 0
- 30 Oct 1955 (Jalco Cup): Ghana 7 Nigeria 0
- 27 Oct 1956 (Jalco Cup): Nigeria 3 Ghana 0
- 27 Oct 1957 (Jalco Cup): Ghana 3 Nigeria 3
- 25 Oct 1958 (Jalco Cup): Nigeria 3 Ghana 2
- 10 Oct 1959 (Olympics Qualifier): Nigeria 3 Ghana 1
- 26 Oct 1959 (Olympics Qualifier): Ghana 4 Nigeria 1
- 22 Nov 1959 (Jalco Cup): Ghana 5 Nigeria 2
- 28 Aug 1960 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 4 Nigeria 1
- 10 Sep 1960 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 2 Ghana 2
- 9 Oct 1960 (Nkrumah Cup): Nigeria 0 Ghana 3
- 29 Oct 1960 (Zik Cup): Nigeria 1 Ghana 1
- 8 Apr 1961 (AFCON Qualifier): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0
- 30 Apr 1961 (AFCON Qualifier): Ghana 2 Nigeria 2
- 17 Dec 1961 (Friendly): Ghana 5 Nigeria 1
- 10 Nov 1962 (Friendly): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0
- 23 Feb 1963 (Nkrumah Cup); Ghana 5 Nigeria 0
- 30 Oct 1965 (Zik Cup): Nigeria 0 Ghana 4
- 7 Nov 1965 (Zik Cup): Ghana 3 Nigeria 0
- 23 Jan 1967 (Zik Cup): Nigeria 2 Ghana 2
- 12 Feb 1967 (Zik Cup): Ghana 2 Nigeria 0
- 22 Oct 1967 (Zik Cup): Ghana 2 Nigeria 1
- 23 Dec 1967 (Zik Cup): Nigeria 2 Ghana 2
- 10 May 1969 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 2 Ghana 1
- 18 May 1969 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 1 Nigeria 1
- 8 Jan 1973 (All-Africa Games): Nigeria 4 Ghana 2
- 10 Feb 1973 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 2 Ghana 3 – abandoned, match awarded 2-0 to Ghana
- 25 Feb 1973 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 0 Nigeria 0
- 11 Aug 1974 (Festival): Nigeria 1 Ghana 0
- 17 Aug 1974 (Festival): Nigeria 0 Ghana 1
- 24 Aug 1975 (Festival): Ghana 1 Nigeria 2
- 30 Aug 1975 (Festival): Ghana 3 Nigeria 0
- 4 Sep 1977 (Ecowas Cup): Nigeria 2 Ghana 1
- 8 Mar 1978 (AFCON): Ghana 1 Nigeria 1
- 21 July 1978 (All-Africa Games): Ghana 0 Nigeria 0
- 1 May 1983 (ECA Anniversary): Ghana 1 Nigeria 0
- 15 Oct 1983 (Olympics Qualifier): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0
- 30 Oct 1983 (Olympics Qualifier): Ghana 1 Nigeria 2
- 5 Mar 1984 (AFCON): Ghana 1 Nigeria 2
- 27 July 1986 (Friendly): Ghana 2 Nigeria 0
- 2 Sep 1990 (AFCON Qualifier): Ghana 1 Nigeria 0
- 13 Apr 1991 (AFCON Qualifier): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0
- 23 Jan 1992 (AFCON): Ghana 2 Nigeria 1
- 9 Mar 1994 (Friendly): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0
- 28 Aug 1999 (Friendly): Nigeria 0 Ghana 0
- 11 Mar 2001 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 0 Nigeria 0
- 29 July 2001 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 3 Ghana 0
- 3 Feb 2002 (AFCON): Ghana 0 Nigeria 1
- 15 Dec 2002 (Friendly): Ghana 0 Nigeria 1
- 30 May 2003 (LG Cup): Nigeria 3 Ghana 1
- 23 Jan 2006 (AFCON): Ghana 0 Nigeria 1
- 6 Feb 2007 (Friendly): Ghana 4 Nigeria 1
- 3 Feb 2008 (AFCON): Ghana 2 Nigeria 1
- 28 Jan 2010 (AFCON): Ghana 1 Nigeria 0
- 11 Oct 2011 (Friendly): Ghana 0 Nigeria 0
- 25 Mar 2022 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 0 Nigeria 0
- 29 Mar 2022 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 1 Ghana 1
- 23 Mar 2024 (Friendly): Ghana 1 Nigeria 2
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Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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