Sports
Ghana put up impressive second-half performance but fall to Nigeria
Ghana put up an impressive second-half performance but fell to Nigeria 2-1 in the semifinal of the 2025 Unity Cup. Brandon Thomas Asante scored a world-class goal in the 70th minute as Ghana’s youthful side showed class, purposefulness, tenacity, and temperament to the amazement of the fans at the GTech Community Stadium in Brentford.
Coach Otto Addo named a lineup that featured Jordan Ayew and a mix of experienced and young players, including debutants Aaron Essel and Christopher Bonsu Baah.
Gideon Mensah and Kamaradini Mamudu operated as wingbacks, while Abdul Samed Salis and Majeed Ashimeru played in midfield, and Jordan Ayew, Kwame Opoku, and Christopher Bonsu Baah played in the front three.
A nervy first half saw Nigeria take the lead through Cyriel Dessers, who scored inside the opening quarter of an hour after picking up a ball from right-back Ismaila Sodiq to beat goalkeeper Benjamin Asare.
The Super Eagles doubled their lead as Seyi Ajayi’s header went in off Razak Simpson for an own goal. A brilliant save from Benjamin Asare and a clearance off the line denied Wilfried Ndidi from scoring a third before halftime.
Ghana made a real game of it in the second half after Caleb Yirenkyi and Brandon Thomas Asante came on for Kamaradini Mamudu and Kwame Opoku.
The Black Stars then changed formation, with Ebenezer Annan coming in at left wing-back and Gideon Mensah moving into midfield. Brandon Thomas found himself in a good place to connect and score with Ebenezer Annan’s cross, reducing the deficit.
The Black Stars then created a number of decent chances in search of the leveler, with opportunities falling to Jordan Ayew, Christopher Bonsu Baah, and Mohammed Gadafi Fuseini, but they failed to score as Nigeria held on to win the game.
The young Ghana side will face Trinidad and Tobago in the third-place game on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Officials from the Ghana mission in the United Arab Emirates have paid a morale-boosting visit to the camp of the Black Queens.
The delegation, made up of Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto, Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai and Head of Transport Anas Shaibu, visited the team to assure them of the government’s support and commitment to their safety and welfare.
During the visit, the officials interacted with the team and offered words of encouragement, urging the team to remain focused on the tournament despite concerns surrounding unrest in parts of the UAE.
Consular Officer Percy Okudzeto emphasised that the Ghanaian government, through its diplomatic mission, is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to ensuring the team’s safety throughout their stay.
“We want the team to stay calm and focus on the competition. The government and the embassy are doing everything possible to ensure your safety and well-being.” he said.
Consul and Head of Chancery Abdul-Jalil Sigli Yakubu Abdulai also reiterated the mission’s readiness to provide any assistance required by the team during the tournament.
Leadership of the team expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and motivating.
With the backing of Ghana’s diplomatic officials in the UAE, the Black Queens remain determined to represent the country proudly and deliver strong performances in the Pink Ladies Cup.
The Black Queens have arrived in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the upcoming Pink Ladies Cup in Dubai. The team touched down at the Dubai International Airport via Emirates Air on Wednesday morning and were warmly received by the competition’s organising officials.
The squad will be based at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, where they will begin their final preparations for the tournament. Organised as part of the international women’s football calendar, the Pink Ladies Cup is expected to feature four national sides using the competition to assess their squads and fine-tune strategies for upcoming tournaments.
Ghana will open their campaign today with a clash against Hong Kong, while Russia and Tanzania face off in the other opening match.
The Black Queens are then scheduled to return to action on March 3, when they take on Russia in a match expected to test them against a physically strong opponent.
The final round of games will be played on March 6, with Ghana closing their campaign against Tanzania at 9:00 pm.
With three matches in eight days, the tournament promises to be a crucial phase in Ghana’s preparation, as the Black Queens aim to return to continental action sharper, stronger, and more competitive.
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
