By Nurudeen Obalola
The Super Eagles advanced into the final of the Unity Cup four-nation tournament on Wednesday night with a tense 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Ghana at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium in London, England.
Cyriel Dessers and a Razaq Simpson own goal gave the Super Eagles a 2-0 lead before Ghana pulled one back through Thomas Asante.
Having taken a 2-0 lead in the first half, the Super Eagles lost control in the second period and needed a big save late on from Stanley Nwabali to fend off the Black Stars.
With a blend of regulars like Nwabali, Semi Ajayi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi and Samuel Chukwueze alongside new face Igoh Ogbu and Sikiru Alimi, the Super Eagles started brightly and were duly rewarded.
Rangers of Scotland striker Dessers was the brightest spark in the Super Eagles attack and could have earned an early penalty.
Referee Stuart Atwell waved off his protests after being brought down in the Ghana box in the fifth minute.
Dessers was on the scoresheet 10 minutes later with a superb finish, chesting down Sadiq Ismaila’s cross before placing the ball beyond the reaches of Ghana goalkeeper Benjamin Asare.
The Super Eagles doubled their lead in the 21st minute as Ajayi’s header off Chukwueze free-kick took a deflection off a Ghana’s Simpson.
The Super Eagles were good value for their two-goal lead and almost made 3-0, but Ghana cleared the ball off the line after some brilliant play from Chukwueze and Ndidi.
The second half was a different ball game as the Super Eagles lost their way and Ghana became more threatening.
Head coach Eric Chelle rang some changes around the hour mark, bringing on the experienced trio of Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Ahmed Musa on for Papa Daniel, Alimi and Chukwueze, but there was little effect as Ghana continued to run the show.
The Black Stars got the goal their performance deserved 20 minutes from time when Asante struck home from close range after a fine move.
They almost pulled level five minutes later but Jordan Ayew was seconds late to a dangerous low cross and could not turn the ball in.
Ghana came even closer to an equaliser in the 90th minute as they worked the ball into Nigeria’s box, but Nwabali made a brilliant low save to preserve the lead and secure the victory.
The Super Eagles will face Jamaica in the final on Saturday, while Ghana will play Trinidad & Tobago.
Jamaica defeated Trinidad & Tobago 3-2 in the first semi-final on Tuesday.
