Nigeria edged past Ghana with a 2-1 victory in their opening game of the Unity Cup at the Gtech Arena on Wednesday night. The Super Eagles started strongly, asserting control early and showing attacking intent within the first ten minutes.
They took a deserved two-goal lead into half-time when Cyriel Dessers opened the scoring after a well-placed assist from Sodiq Ismail, before a Ghanaian own goal, deflected in by defender Simpson following a flick-on from Semi Ajayi, doubled Nigeria’s advantage.

Ghana responded with greater urgency in the second half, creating the better chances and eventually pulling one back in the 70th minute through Brandon Thomas-Asante. Despite their late pressure, the Black Stars couldn’t find an equaliser, and Nigeria held on for a hard-fought win.
As expected, the match sparked plenty of social media banter between Nigerian and Ghanaian fans, continuing the long-standing rivalry both on and off the pitch with a lot being said on X (formerly known as Twitter)
Sodiq Ismail, making only his second appearance for the Super Eagles, earned widespread praise from fans for his performance—especially for setting up the opening goal.
TAKE A BOW!!
An standout performance today from Sodiq Ismaila!💪🔥🦅🇳🇬#NGAGHA #SuperEagles #UnityCup2025 pic.twitter.com/on1ARmKKUt— NPFL Insider (@NPFLInsider) May 28, 2025
HT: NGA 2-0 GHA 🇳🇬 🔥
The truth
– Sodiq announces himself
– Dessers should be in the team always
– Chelle banged with the tactics
– Ndidi bossed the midfield
– Chukwueze is here for the party📸 @PoojaMedia #SuperEagles#UnityCup2025 pic.twitter.com/FipAGOWNWR
— NPFL Tori Podcast (@NpflTori) May 28, 2025
Assist from @Sodiq_Ismail11
I bet my farm that if Sodiq plays with Osimhen, he will be averaging at least one assist per game. https://t.co/BLA1zzrdPS
— 🇳🇬CYBEREAGLES 🇳🇬 (@Cybereagles) May 28, 2025
Of course, there will no Nigeria and Ghana banter if Jollof is not involved.
In other news…….this was another night where Nigerian jollof triumph over Ghana jollof.
🇬🇭1-2🇳🇬
Friendlies— SP⚽️RTS DUCHESS👑 (@MercyYChuwang) May 28, 2025
One fan humorously expressed his hope not just for a Super Eagles win over Ghana, but also for a Real Betis victory over Chelsea in the Europa League—so he could troll both his Ghanaian friends and Chelsea supporters on X.
Nigerian did win, but Betis lost.
Super Eagles is doing it, Real Betis also. We go roast Chelsea con roast Ghana join. I’m sat pic.twitter.com/QlVJeMF7Tc
— Àkànní ❤️ You💚🌙 (@Robbenklose) May 28, 2025
#UnityCup2025#SuperEagles #BETCHE #Ghana
While others are watching Real Betis vs Chelsea final of conference league, there is me watching Super eagles chopping the banku stars of Ghana pic.twitter.com/BNKvQGypsl— DANFO (@Danfowahala) May 28, 2025
The second half struggle by the Super Eagles also elicited some comments on X as the Nigeria barely saw the game to the line
FT: NIG 2-1 GHA
The truths
– Ghana came back fighting
– Super Eagles slowed down
– Dessers is our second striker
– Nwabali showed up last minute
– Naija jollof all the wayAdd yours.#SuperEagles#UnityCup2025 pic.twitter.com/VgnZr2f9DY
— NPFL Tori Podcast (@NpflTori) May 28, 2025
FT: Nigeria 2-1 Ghana. Super Eagles totally lost control in the second half and could hardly string three passes together after a decent first half. Nwabali to the rescue late on. #UnityCup2025
— Nurudeen Obalola (@NurudeenObalola) May 28, 2025
Nigeria will now meet Jamaica in the final of the Unity Cup after the Caribbean side saw off their counterparts Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 in their opening game.