The Super Eagles defeated rivals the Black Stars of Ghana 2-1 in the second semi-final of the Unity Cup in London on Wednesday.
It is now back-to-back wins for the Super Eagles against the Black Stars, following a 2-1 victory in another friendly game in March 2024.
Still revelling in the euphoria of a win against their fiercest rivals, Completesports.com’s JAMES AGBEREBI looks at FIVE takeaways from the game.
• Impressive First Half, Poor Second Half
The Super Eagles delivered a dominant first-half performance in their 2-1 win over Ghana’s Black Stars.
It was no surprise that they went into the break with a deserved 2-0 lead, courtesy of a Cyriel Dessers opener and an own goal by Ghana’s Razak Simpson.
However, it was a different story in the second half, as the Black Stars completely bossed proceedings and were rightly rewarded with a goal. They also came close to levelling the score on several occasions but were denied by poor finishing and brilliant saves by Stanley Nwabali.
This trend should be a concern for the Super Eagles’ coaching crew, as it is not the first time it has occurred. In the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, a similar issue arose.
After a bright start against Rwanda — which yielded two first-half goals from Victor Osimhen — the team had to hang on in the closing stages of the game.
They were not so lucky in the encounter against Zimbabwe in Uyo, which ended 1-1. They conceded late and almost lost the match in stoppage time.
• Cyriel Dessers Impressive
Cyriel Dessers proved that his goal-scoring form for Rangers in the just-concluded season was no fluke, as he broke the deadlock in the first half for the Super Eagles.
He demonstrated how dangerous he can be when presented with a chance inside the box, controlling a cross and calmly slotting it into the net as the Black Stars’ defenders and goalkeeper closed in.
Aside from his goal, Dessers was a constant menace to the Ghanaian defence, who struggled to contain his physicality, intelligent runs, and hold-up play.
His impressive performance will delight the coaching staff, who will be pleased to see goal-scoring options beyond Victor Osimhen, especially ahead of the remaining 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
• Stanley Nwabali Getting Too Comfortable
The Chippa United shot-stopper has made the Super Eagles’ number one position his own since breaking into the team.
His emergence ended a long search for a reliable first-choice goalkeeper for the three-time AFCON champions, following a string of poor performances from predecessors.
However, it appears Stanley Nwabali is growing too comfortable and must understand that he is not immune to criticism and backlash if his performances dip.
In the Unity Cup clash against the Black Stars on Wednesday, Nwabali almost cost the Super Eagles on two occasions. In the 30th minute, a poor pass to a teammate was intercepted by a Ghanaian player, who attempted to lob the ball into the net — only for Nwabali to recover in time and palm it out for a corner.
Then, just two minutes into the second half, another careless pass was picked off by a Black Stars player who raced towards goal, only for a retreating Super Eagles defender to block the goal-bound effort.
Nwabali must realise that things can quickly change for the worse in a Super Eagles shirt. He should learn from someone like Maduka Okoye, who went from hero to villain after conceding what many considered a routine save in the 1-0 defeat to Tunisia in the AFCON 2021 round of 16.
• Substitutions Were Unimpressive
With the Super Eagles under immense pressure from the Black Stars despite leading 2-0, coach Finidi George (referred to here as “Chelle”) made a triple substitution, bringing on Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Moses Simon in the 62nd minute.
It was hoped that the introduction of the experienced trio would shift the momentum back in favour of the Super Eagles.
It initially appeared the move had paid off, as Iheanacho found the back of the net — only for his goal to be ruled out for offside.
Unfortunately, the trio failed to offer the necessary relief, as the Black Stars sustained their attacking momentum and eventually pulled one goal back.
Chelle made two additional substitutions, introducing Rangers duo Collins Ugwueze and Emmanuel Onyebuchi in the 82nd minute, but their arrivals did little to halt the Ghanaian onslaught.
• Semi Ajayi’s Return a Welcome Development
Semi Ajayi endured a forgettable 2024/25 campaign for Championship side West Bromwich Albion due to injuries.
He suffered a hamstring injury in October 2024 and was sidelined for four months. Although he returned in February 2025, another hamstring setback ruled him out until April.
At the end of the 2024/25 season, Ajayi managed just 15 appearances for the Baggies, who have since released him as a free agent.
However, the 31-year-old put his recent injury woes behind him and impressed in the 82 minutes he played against Ghana on Wednesday night.
His presence brought calm and organisation to the Super Eagles’ defence, and he played a role in the second goal — his header from a set-piece deflected off a Black Stars player and found the back of the net.
Ajayi’s return to fitness and form is a welcome development for the Super Eagles as they seek to reignite their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.
6 Comments
It is not about his form for Rangers – In fact if it were by that metric, he would still be found wanting – too many reasons for that and I cannot be bothered to explain this to you, If I have to then there is no point in the first place, so I won’t and furthermore, nobody is “untouchable” in football – let’s dial down on all this sentimental “gushing” talk, it’s a part of the problem in Nigeria, and those who have the capacity to comprehend should not be encouraging it, full stop.
As it stands now, and based on future performances(TBC) “to be confirmed” – Dessers is now just as valuable to the SE’s as Osimhen or anybody we currently have on roster – yes it is only one performance and thus still very early days, but if his future performances are anything like we say yesterday against Ghana, then for me, he is just as much a ratified and confirmed first 11 starter for the SE’s as much as Osimhen, in fact, like I already mentioned (above)- we no longer have just a single number 1 striker but we have two – Dessers and Osimhen and the only admission that I must make, is that Omo9ja must either be the luckiest negroid in obodo Africa or he must have known (seen) something that most of us (the others) either missed of failed to see.
We now hope and pray – also keeping everything crossed that he continues i this form and vein and if anything get better and not just for country but club as well – I pray that he get’s recognised by the bigger clubs and gets a move to one of them – for me, he seems the kind of striker that would thrive at a club like Man City, Aston Villa or even Chelsea, even though Chelsea are a bit confused at the moment lol.
Also, I must mention that many of the debutant home basedplayers that were invited looked like they belong in the team – they were very glaringly hungrier and fought more for the cause, they brought more urgency, ruggedness and reliability that we do not get from the likes of Iwobi, Iheanacho and many others currently taking up space and wasting opportunities, dragging the SE’s down! Over to you Chelle- do the needful and inject fresh and hungry blood into our team. So’Ongbo?
You be mumu. Which home based player impressed?which lazy home based player was hungrier and fitter according to you. Is it the players that were constantly being overran by the Ghanaians and couldn’t complete simple passes. Tueh
Agreed. Som of the so-called home-based players were timid and inconsistent. Desser was very good yesterday.
The changes that were made by the coach was the reason why the Nigeria team had seemed to be tired.
The coach substitution tactics lack experience, l must say. The reason we may not go World Cup.
They are lazy ba? Is it you who is sitting in your chair drinking gari and typing on your yeye phone keypad who is not lazy abi? Lmaaoo, you keyboard warriors are unbelievable! Clown lol.
Thank you oh! I was beginning to wonder if we saw the same match. Lmao
We really appreciate there efforts but it is time for them to step them it is the fact,am also a lover of football I dnt judge anyone the freshblood needs to be invited go and check other countries younger players are doing the magic with fews matured once, football done change it only in Africa that people are afraid to use young players in there national team and domestic league