Nigeria’s Super Eagles has shown its superiority over Ghana’s national team by handing out 1-0 goal this evening at the newly constructed 30,000 seat-capacity international stadium in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state.
And it was Emem Eduok that scored the goal for Nigeria, thus emerging as the first player to score at the new stadium..
The warm-up game between the two West African nations was used to officially open the Stadium, which is also known as the Nest of Champions, and Nigeria will receive the Transformation Cup for their efforts.
Daniel Amokachi’s side fashioned the first clear chance of the game as Eduok forced Richard Ofori into a smart save after 12 minutes.
The Super Eagles continued to dominate but the visitors’ defenders were at alert to stop the dangerous runs of Eduok and Gbolahan Salami.
Solomon Kwambe who was always attacking at the right hand side had his effort blocked by the Black Stars defence.
In the 35th minutes, the Nigerians brushed off the scare of not converting some begging chances that came their ways when they went ahead through Eduok, who headed home a Kwambe’s cross into the top corner to give Ofori no chance.
The Dolphins talisman became the first man to score at the Magnificient Arena.
Skipper of the Super Eagles, Chigozie Agbim gave the home fans a scare when he failed to deal with an easy cross, but Ghana failed to capitalise on his howler as the first half ended 1-0 in favour of Nigeria.
With the attack needing a new innovation, Coach Amokachi threw on Nigeria Premier League top marksman Mfon Udoh, who replaced Enugu Rangers striker Osaguona Ighadaro at the beginning of the second half.
Ghana were not ready to bow down to their fierce rivals and probed the Super Eagles defence line in the 47th minute.
Isaac Ofori failed to deal with the ball watching Nigerian defenders with his tame shot. The resultant cross was wasted.
The menacing Eduok almost gave the Super Eagles a two-goal cushion as his ambitious drive left Ofori well rooted to the spot three minutes to the hour mark.
Eduok dribbled his way past the defenders, drilled his shot – before the keeper produced a superb save to deny him a second of the match with twelve minutes left.
Mfon was at alert to send a brilliant shot to the upright from an excellent cross from Eduok, as Nigeria tried for a game-killing second goal.
The Super Eagles continued to create the better of the chances as the full time whistle approached, but they could not increase their advantage despite the fact that the visitors were reduced to ten men late in the game.
How they started:
Home-based Eagles XI: Chigozie Agbim; Solomon Kwambe, Chima Akas, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Zango Umar; Joseph Nathaniel, Bobby Sokari, Rabiu Ali, Emem Eduok; Gbolahan Salami, Christian Osaghona
Reserves: Daniel Akpeyi, Charles Henlong, Erhun Obanor, Mfon Udoh, Bright Esieme, Christian Pyagbara, Stanley Dimgba, Tony Edjomariegwe
Ghana XI: Richard Ofori, Lawrence Lartey, Emmanuel Nti Mensah, Abdul Ishmeal, Agyare Benjamin, Richard Yamoah, Kennedy Ashia, Kojo Poku, Isaac Osai, Samuel Afful, Latif Amadu
Reserves: Eric Antwi Ofori, David Opoku, Elvis Opoku, Abdul Ganiyu Ismail, Noah Martey, Enoch Kumi, Vincent Atinga. [myad]
