AFCON 2025
The Super Eagles of Nigeria and Ghana Black Stars rekindled their age-long rivalry in the semi-final of the 2025 Unity Cup in London.
It was a keenly contested affair at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on Wednesday evening as the Super Eagles defeated Ghana.
The pulsating encounter ended 2-1 courtesy of Cyriel Desser’s goal and a deflection from a Ghanaian defender.
Coach Eric Chelle had a blend of foreign professionals and players from the Nigeria Premier Football League in the win over Ghana.
1. NPFL Players need to do more to get into the main.
Eric Chelle included three players from the Nigeria Premier Football League in his starting XI against Ghana and a couple of them did well in the encounter.
Remo Stars right-back, Ismaila Sodiq had an impressive performance as he assisted Cyriel Desser’s goal.
Sikiru Alimi started alongside Dessers in attack while Papa Daniel played in midfield.
The positional awareness of the players and tactical discipline leaves much to be desired. Perhaps, their performances reflect the state of the local league.
2. Igor Ogbu and Semi Ajayi’s partnership
Despite playing together for the first time, Slavia Prague’s Igor Ogbu and Semi Ajayi were solid in defense as they kept Jordan Ayew and other Ghanian attackers at bay.
While Igor Ogbu helped the team with tackles and interceptions, Semi Ayayi dealt with aerial threats and contributed to the second goal, which came off a Ghanaian defender.
In the absence of first-choice center-backs, Calvin Bassey and William Troost-Ekong, Ajayi and Ogbu impressed, and they offer competition in the defense line.
3. Eric Chelle’s game management
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, unlike his last match against Zimbabwe in the World Cup qualifiers, managed the later stages of the match as Ghana put Nigeria under pressure, which led to their only goal in the match.
Chelle introduced Enugu Rangers Ifeanyi Onyebuchi and Remo Stars Junior Nduka to help the Super Eagles defend their lead.
