Nigeria vs Ghana 1 – 0: LIVE Updates! Friendly match stream, latest score and goal updates today.
Two giants of African football collide this afternoon in a high-profile international friendly showdown in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh. Long-time rivals Nigeria and Ghana face off in the latest edition of the so-called ‘Jollof Derby’, their first match since the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where the Super Eagles suffered an agonising defeat to the hosts in a dramatic final last month.
Former Ipswich star Finidi George is now in initial temporary charge of Nigeria as they search for a long-term replacement for ex-head coach Jose Peseiro, but he’s not helped today by the absences of several key players including attacking talisman Victor Osimhen, plus the likes of William Troost-Ekong and Samuel Chukwueze, as he bids to earn the job on a permanent basis.
Ghana, meanwhile, are now back under the management of ex-Borussia Dortmund stalwart Otto Addo, who has re-taken the reins after Chris Hughton was sacked following another dismal group-stage exit at AFCON. The Black Stars are also missing a number of important stars today including Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey and West Ham forward Mohammed Kudus. Follow Nigeria vs Ghana live below with Standard Sport!
Bruno Onyeamachi with a chance for Nigeria but his shot was perfectly blocked by the Ghana defenders
Onyeamachi did not get any playing time at the last AFCON tournament in Cote d’Ivoire
Newbie Tiaminu been attended to by the medics as the Super Eagles take a goal kick
Free kick for Ghana in a promising position as new entrant Raphael Oneyedika commits a foul
Great chance for Ghana but Nwabali makes and equally fantastic save to force a corner kick
80 minutes of action… Nigeria 1-0 Ghana
Meanwhile Ademola Lookman has been introduced into the game and he is already looking to get a goal for the Super Eagles
Goal !!! Ademola Lookman doubles the lead for the Super Eagles
The Atalanta forward has continued from where he stopped at the last AFCON tournament in Cote d’Ivoire
85 minutes… Nigeria 2-0 Ghana
Another double substitution for Ghana as the Coach is trying hard to salvage the situation
We have five minutes added time..
Nigeria 2-0 Ghana
The Super Eagles are looking good to win this latest ” Jollof Derby”
Penalty for Ghana as Bright Osayi-Samuel commits a foul in the box
Can the Black Stars get at least a consolation goal in this tie?
Captain Jordan Ayew decides to take and he scores!
Nigeria 2-1 Ghana
Ghana looking for another late penalty but the referee waves off the call
Great save by Nwabali as Ghana looking to pull off another goal
Final whistle blown by the referee….
FT: Nigeria 2-1 Ghana
Next stop for the Super Eagles is a game against Mali in four days tie while Ghana will be up against the Cranes of Uganda…
Thanks and good bye!!!
Nigeria 1-0 Ghana
17:21 , George Flood
55 mins: Lamptey again the attacking architect for Ghana as his floated cross from the right is headed on target by Ayew, leading to Nwabali pushing wide.
Nigeria 1-0 Ghana
17:20 , George Flood
53 mins: Iheanacho drives through the middle and past Edmund Addo before sending another low shot not too far wide of the back post.
A decent tempo to this second half at the moment.
Nigeria 1-0 Ghana
17:17 , George Flood
50 mins: Much better in the opening exchanges of this second half so far from Ghana, who look far more purposeful and menacing in attack.
They are moving the ball quicker and asking questions of the Nigeria defence, with much of the spark coming from the introduction of Lamptey down the right flank.
Nigeria 1-0 Ghana
17:15 , George Flood
47 mins: A positive start to the second half from the Black Stars as they create danger inside the Nigeria box and a low shot from Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey is deflected behind.
Otto Addo looks to have changed both Ghana full-backs at half-time, with Ebenezer Annan also on.
Nigeria 1-0 Ghana
17:11 , George Flood
The players are back out on the pitch at the Stade de Marrakech and we are underway once more.
Ghana’s players in an extended huddle on the pitch before kick-off.
Nigeria 1-0 Ghana
16:56 , George Flood
Half-time
The Super Eagles deservedly lead at the interval in Marrakesh thanks to a composed penalty from Rangers’ Cyriel Dessers awarded for handball.
It could have been worse for Ghana, were it not for a couple of fine saves from goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi.
A lot of work to do for this much-changed Black Stars outfit.
Nigeria 1-0 Ghana
16:52 , George Flood
48 mins: A decent spell of pressure this from Ghana at the end of the half, but they have no final ball or cutting edge whatsoever at the moment.
Ayew with the chance to deliver another free-kick into the box from the right, but Nigeria get it clear after a spot of pinball and the half-time whistle sounds.
Nigeria 1-0 Ghana
16:49 , George Flood
46 mins: Three minutes of added time have been signalled as Nigeria come forward again down the right flank, but the cross lacks quality.
Ghana then break at pace and end up with another corner.
Nigeria 1-0 Ghana
16:47 , George Flood
43 mins: Ghana’s best chance of the game so far by a country mile is spurned dreadfully as Semenyo races through but ends up ballooning a terrible strike high into the stands.
Nigeria 1-0 Ghana
16:45 , George Flood
41 mins: A little bit of a rally from Ghana since the goal, a touch more attacking cohesion leads to some sustained pressure and a corner that is cleared.
But here come the Super Eagles again, looking to double their lead before the break in Marrakesh.
GOAL! Nigeria 1-0 Ghana | Cyriel Dessers 38′
16:41 , George Flood
37 mins: The penalty takes an absolute age to come as Ghana protest furiously against the referee’s decision, leading to the yellow card being brandished.
A spot of mind games then from Ati-Zigi, who takes a while to retreat back to his line.
But Rangers frontman Dessers is unfazed as he places the ball down on the spot and coolly steps up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Nigeria 0-0 Ghana
16:38 , George Flood
34 mins: Nigeria are upping the work rate now, pressing Ghana hard high up the pitch and trying to force more errors in possession.
Nigeria have a penalty for handball inside the box!
Nigeria 0-0 Ghana
16:34 , George Flood
30 mins: That’s a huge chance for Nigeria on the half-hour mark as Iheanacho’s clever floated free-kick to the front post is almost touched by Dessers beyond Ati-Zigi, who gratefully claims.
That should have been 1-0 to the Super Eagles.
Nigeria 0-0 Ghana
16:33 , George Flood
27 mins: A real lull in this game at the moment as both teams battle for possession in midfield.
Not much to impress returning coach Otto Addo from this experimental Ghana side thus far.
Nigeria still on top, but struggling to create further chances.
Nigeria 0-0 Ghana
16:27 , George Flood
23 mins: The likes of Iwobi and Onyeka are trying to drive Nigeria forward, with a low shot – I think from Iheanacho – inside the box blocked before Ghana try to break quickly.
It swiftly fizzles out, however, allowing the Super Eagles to immediately get back in the ascendancy.
Nigeria 0-0 Ghana
16:24 , George Flood
20 mins: Ghana are inching forward with a succession of free-kicks, though Ayew’s deep delivery from wide on the right is repelled.
The Black Stars quickly come again, but a woeful cross is easily gathered by Stanley Nwabali in the Nigeria goal.
Nigeria 0-0 Ghana
16:21 , George Flood
17 mins: Ghana are cut apart and Iheanacho unleashes a powerful half-volley that is tipped over by Ati-Zigi!
The Super Eagles then scream for a penalty for handball inside the box, but their hearty appeals are waved away by Moroccan referee Jayed Jalal.
Nigeria 0-0 Ghana
16:19 , George Flood
14 mins: You can hear every shout from the players and coaches from what is an empty stadium in Marrakech.
Ati-Zigi with another low save before Semenyo goes down injured for Ghana.
He’s quickly back on his feet, however.
Nigeria 0-0 Ghana
16:16 , George Flood
12 mins: It’s all too rushed and frantic from Ghana, which is perhaps hardly surprising given the experimental nature of their side and number of players eager to impress.
Nigeria break forward with menace again, but Ati-Zigi smothers a loose ball.
Nigeria 0-0 Ghana
16:13 , George Flood
10 mins: Chance for Nigeria!
Kelechi Iheanacho creates the space for a decent curling strike that is beaten away low to his right by Ati-Zigi.
The Super Eagles have a couple of corners in quick succession, but nothing comes of them and they end up giving away a free-kick.
Nigeria 0-0 Ghana
16:12 , George Flood
8 mins: No real rhythm or fluency from either side in these early exchanges.
It’s combative stuff, though neither team are retaining the ball well.
A long pass sent forward by Ghana’s Baba Iddrisu intended for the run of Antoine Semenyo is shielded behind for a goal kick.
A fast ball into the box for Jordan Ayew also ends up going behind.
Nigeria 0-0 Ghana
16:09 , George Flood
5 mins: It’s all a bit scrappy early on, with both sides giving possession away plenty including in dangerous defensive areas.
No further chances to speak of as yet.
Nigeria 0-0 Ghana
16:07 , George Flood
3 mins: Nigeria are piling on the early pressure in Marrakesh, forcing a strong parried save from St Gallen goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi.
Nigeria vs Ghana
16:04 , George Flood
KICK-OFF
Off and running!
Ghana kick off to get us underway.
They are in their red change strips this afternoon, with Nigeria in white.
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