In his first bow as helmsman of the Super Eagles, goals by Cyriel Dessers and Ademola Lookman put smiles on the face of Finidi George as Nigeria bumped Ghana 2-1 in a friendly match full of steel and streaks of flavour in the Moroccan city of Marrakech on Friday.
As was the case at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire earlier in the year, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali proved key to the Super Eagles’ performance, showing plenty of poise, confidence and comfort on the ball and pulling off a string of saves to ensure Nigeria’s first win over Ghana at senior level in 18 years.
The result was an exact reverse of the scoreline when George, as a player, first featured for Nigeria against Ghana in an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash in Senegal 32 years ago.
Returning forward Cyriel Dessers sent Lawrence Ati-Zigi the wrong way from the penalty spot in the 38th minute, after Jerome Opoku handled a shot by Kelechi Iheanacho. The Leicester City of England man had earlier struck the woodwork as Nigeria pressed.
Opoku would pick up a red card in the 57th minute for dissent, leaving the Black Stars with 10 men.