To the uninitiated, the rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana may seem unexpected, given that the two nations do not share a direct border. However, the intensity and passion that fuel their football encounters rival some of the fiercest rivalries in the sport.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria and Ghana’s Black Stars are two titans of African football, with a storied rivalry steeped in passion, drama, and moments that have etched themselves into the continent’s sporting history.
From high-stakes World Cup qualifiers to fiercely contested AFCON duels — even in friendlies where pride and prestige are at stake — every Nigeria versus Ghana encounter is a captivating spectacle that never fails to ignite the emotions of fans across Africa and beyond.
Here’s everything you need to know about their latest showdown—from lineups and key stats to head-to-head records and what the future holds for this historic rivalry.
Nigeria vs Ghana H2H
Nigeria and Ghana share one of Africa’s most intense and enduring football rivalries, having faced off 58 times across various competitions.
The rivalry began on 16 October 1950, when the two West African giants met for the first time in an international friendly — a match that marked the beginning of a fierce sporting saga.
The most lopsided result in the history of their encounters came on 1 June 1955, when Ghana humbled Nigeria with a resounding 7-0 win in a friendly, a scoreline that remains the fixture’s most dominant outcome to date.
| Nigeria | Ghana | |
| Matches Played | 59 | 59 |
| Wins | 13 | 25 |
| Draws | 19 | 19 |
| Losses | 25 | 13 |
| Goals Scored | 59 | 92 |
| Goals Allowed | 92 | 59 |
Nigeria vs Ghana latest score
Nigeria 2-1 Ghana [Cyriel Dessers (14′), Razak Simpson (19′) – Brandon Thomas Asante (70′)]
Unity Cup G-Tech Community Stadium May 28, 2025
| Match Statistics | ||
| Possession | 51% | 49% |
| Shots on Goal | 4 | 3 |
| Shot Attempts | 6 | 3 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 2 |
| Corner Kicks | 3 | 5 |
| Saves | 3 | 4 |
Cyriel Dessers broke the deadlock for the Super Eagles before an own goal by Ghanaian defender Razak Simpson extended Nigeria’s advantage. Brandon Thomas-Asante later pulled one back for the Black Stars, but it proved to be a mere consolation.
Nigeria vs Ghana lineups
Nigeria starting XI
Stanley Nwabali, Igoh Ogbu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi (Emmanuel Onyebuchi Ifeanyi 82′), Ismail Sodiq, Wilfred Ndidi (C), Frank Onyeka (Collins Ugwueze 82′), Papa Mustapha Daniel (Ahmed Musa 62′), Sikiru Alimi (Kelechi Iheanacho 62′), Samuel Chukwueze (Moses Simon 62′), Cyriel Dessers
Ghana starting XI
Benjamin Asare, Kamaradini Mamudu ( Caleb Yirenkyi 46′), Aaron Essel ( Ebenezer Annan 29′), Gideon Mensah, Stephan Ambrosius, Majeed Ashimeru ( Francis Abu 83′), Salis Abdul Samed, Razak Simpson, Christopher Bonsu Baah (Mohammed Fuseini 90′), Kwame Opoku (Brandon Thomas-Asante 46′), Jordan Ayew
Most recent results
| Nigeria Last 5 Games | Ghana Last 5 Games |
| Benin 1-1 Nigeria | Angola 1-1 Ghana |
| Nigeria 1-2 Rwanda | Ghana 1 -2 Niger |
| Rwanda 0- 2 Nigeria | Ghana 5-0 Chad |
| Nigeria 1-1 Zimbabwe | Ghana 3-0 Madagascar |
| Nigeria 2-1 Ghana | Ghana 1- 2 Nigeria |
Nigeria vs Ghana: Next match
The Super Eagles are not scheduled to face Ghana in any confirmed international friendly at this time. We will keep you updated should any developments arise.
