The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ghana’s Black Stars in the semifinals of the 2025 Unity Cup at the GTech Community Stadium on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, advancing to the tournament final.
The highly anticipated “Jollof Derby” saw Nigeria take the lead through Cyriel Dessers in the first half, followed by an own goal conceded by Ghana’s Razak Simpson, putting the Super Eagles 2-0 up at halftime.
Ghana fought back in the second half, with a goal from Razak-Simpson in the 70th minute, but Nigeria’s defense, led by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, held firm despite late pressure.
Despite missing key players like Mohammed Kudus and Thomas Partey, Ghana, under coach Otto Addo, showed resilience but could not find an equalizer.
Nigeria’s lineup, featuring debutants and NPFL stars like Ismaila Sodiq and Papa Daniel Mustapha, displayed cohesion under new coach Eric Chelle.
The Black Stars will now face Trinidad & Tobago in the third-place playoff, while Nigeria advances to meet Jamaica in the final on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the same venue.
The Unity Cup is an international football tournament held in London, celebrating Afro-Caribbean culture and football. Launched in 2002, it returned in 2025 after a 21-year hiatus, hosted at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium from May 27–31.
Featuring Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago, the tournament showcases nations with large diasporas in London.
Nigeria, the defending champions, won the inaugural edition in 2004.