Unity Cup: Nigeria 2-1 Ghana – Semi Ajayi the difference as Super Eagles reign supreme in Jollof derby

The Super Eagles of Nigeria claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win over Ghana in their opening game of the 2025 Unity Cup, courtesy of goals from Cyriel Dessers and Semi Ajayi, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria locked horns with Ghana at the G-Tech Stadium for a place in the finals of the Unity Cup on Wednesday. Coach Eric Chelle and Otto Addo named some new boys in their lineups to give them a feel of national team football.

Chelle handed four players their national team debut, and they performed well in the early embers of the game.

Nigeria were the better and more dangerous team in the first half with the attackers, Cyriel Dessers, Samuel Chukwueze, and Sikiru Alimi, displaying their qualities.

It took Nigeria just 14 minutes to rattle the net, and it was courtesy of Dessers. The Rangers star latched onto a sweet cross from Sodiq from the right and placed a clean finish past Benjamin Asare in Ghana's goal to make it 1-0.

Remo Stars Sodiq Ismail with a beautiful cross for Cyriel Dessers to open the scoring for the Super Eagles on his return

pic.twitter.com/EB8PEl7i1L

— Micolo⚡️ (@official_micolo) May 28, 2025

The goal shook Ghana. And just five minutes later, they conceded again. It was also from another cross.

Samuel Chukwueze sent in a swinger from close to the halfway line after Nigeria won a free kick. Then, Ajayi jumped the highest to head the ball in the box. But his effort hit a Ghanaian defender and just trickled into the net to make it 2-0.

Nigeria dominated the first half, with chances falling to Dessers and Wilfred Ndidi, but they could not convert. Chelle's boys could have easily put four past the Black Stars, but they failed to take their chances.

However, the second half was an entirely different affair. The Black Stars pressed and attacked Nigeria like their lives depended on it.

But they had to wait until the 70th minute before getting their goal courtesy of Brandon Thomas-Asante.

Ghana looked threatening in the closing embers of the game, but Nigeria held on strong to claim the 2-1 victory.

Watch Nigeria vs Ghana highlights: