The Super Eagles of Nigeria are through to the final of the 2025 Unity Cup after surviving a second-half onslaught from a youthful but fearless Ghanaian side, winning 2–1 at the GTech Community Stadium in Brentford.
Head coach Eric Challe rested big names like Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, and Ola Aina, instead giving chances to several home-based players and fringe internationals. His approach paid off—at least for the first 45 minutes.
Nigeria started brightly and were rewarded in the 13th minute. Right-back Ismaila Sodiq—one of the standout performers on the night—raced down the flank and delivered a superb cross into the box. Cyriel Dessers, making a rare start for the Super Eagles, took one touch and finished clinically to make it 1–0.
Just minutes later, Seyi Ajayi rose to meet a corner kick and saw his header deflect off Ghana’s Razak Simpson and into the net for an unfortunate own goal, doubling Nigeria’s lead.
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The Super Eagles could have killed the game before halftime. Wilfred Ndidi forced a big save from Ghanaian goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, and a last-ditch clearance denied him again moments later.
But the second half was a different story.
Ghana’s head coach Otto Addo introduced Caleb Yirenkyi and Brandon Thomas-Asante, and the impact was immediate. The Black Stars adjusted their shape, pushing Gideon Mensah into midfield and bringing on Ebenezer Annan at wing-back. The tactical switch unsettled Nigeria.
Brandon Thomas-Asante pulled one back in the 70th minute with a stunning finish—his first international goal—after a pinpoint cross from Annan. The goal lifted the young Ghanaian side and delighted the crowd.
Chances followed for Jordan Ayew, Christopher Bonsu Baah, and substitute Mohammed Gadafi Fuseini, but the Super Eagles stood firm, managing the final minutes with composure despite heavy pressure.
Nigeria now march into Sunday’s final against Jamaica, while Ghana will take on Trinidad and Tobago in the third-place match on Saturday, May 31.
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