45 + 2’ – It’s half time, Nigeria 0 Ghana 1. Nigeria are now chasing the game and need to double up if they are to win this clash.
– It seems there is a problem in the midfield of Nigeria especially in the absence of skipper Lukman Haruna.
45 + 1’ – There will be two minutes of additional time…
45’ – Goal! After a goalmouth scramble from the corner, Ghana’s David Addy opens the scoring. What a bad time to conceed a goal by the home team…
42’ – Nigeria again bombard the Ghana goal, Igiebor skins two markers, finds Ehiosun whose shot is scrambled for a corner.
40’ – Nigerian fans must be getting restless now that the Dream Team are yet to find the back of the net in this encounter.
39’ – Yellow card for Nigeria’s Otekpa for a late tackle.
38’ – Where is the firepower of Nigeria’s Dream Team V? Nigeria have pumped 14 goals against Eq.Guinea, Liberia and Tanzania, but they do not seem to know their way to the goal of Ghana today.
37’ – Ghana have another chance but the cross fails to locate a Ghanaian player.
35’ – This game between two well known rivals is still evenly balanced.
31’ – Yellow card for Ghana Daniel Addo after a foul charge on Igiebor.
29’ – There are still no goals in this West Africa derby between two age-long rivals as we head towards the half hour mark.
28’ – But this chance is lost as it is fired wide off target!
27’ – Emmanuel Anyanwu is brought down outside the Ghana box, free kick to Nigeria.
25’ – This was never going to be a picnic for the Dream Tream who have slaughtered the likes of Equatorial Guinea, Liberia and Tanzania right there at the Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
24’ – Almost immediately, Milan wide man Oduamadi also comes inches close with a fine effort. It’s still Nigeria 0, Ghana 0
21’ – Nigeria are fighting back as Ighalo misses a one-on-one only for him to fire wide when in front of an empty goal box.
– It’s a big miss and Nigeria will be praying they do not get to regtret this miss…
19’ – That should be a sigh of relief to the Ghanaians and their handful of traveling fans because Adiyiah is the lone ranger in their attack.
18’ – Yellow card to giant Nigeria defender Ibok Edet for a foul on the Ghanaian player, who is now stretchered off for more attention.
– Adiyiah is the player stretchered off, but he is almost immediately back on the pitch.
17’ – The game is halted temporarily to attend to the player.
16’ – A Ghanaian player is writhing in pain on the turf, a serious injury is suspected.
14’ – Ghana come close to a first goal, Adiyiah misses in a one-on-one with goalie Ajiboye from a corner.
– Just as Ghana are pressing for an opening goal, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium is almost packed full now.
10’ – The Black Meteors really mean business as Nosa Igiebor for Nigeria is too clumsy on the ball.
– Nigeria must avoid a Ghanian goal as was the case in the qualifiers for the 2007 All Africa Games, because it was on the back of such an away goal that Ghana sent Nigeria packing from that competition.
7’ – Nigeria goalie Ajiboye makes a fine save to foil Ghana.
4’ – It’s still a ding-dong affair but the hosts are taking the initiatives.
2’ – There is an anxious moment almost immediately in the box of the Dream Team but it is cleared out of danger.
1’ – Kick-off by Nigeria. The Dream are in all-green with white trimmings, while Ghana are in their familiar all-white with black trimmings.
– There are about 5,000 fans inside the stadium and growing…
– Ghana’s starting lineup: Daniel Agyei – Jonathan Mensah, David Addy, Daniel Addo, Daniel Opare, Emmanuel Agyeman-Badu, Afriyie Acquah, Rabiu Mohammed, Samuel Inkoom, Mubarak Wakaso, Dominic Adiyiah.
– Ghana will be led by Ukraine-based right back Samuel Inkoom.
– Nigeria starting lineup: Dele Ajiboye – Terna Suswan, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Kingsley Udoh, Edet Ibok – Obiora Nwankwo, Nosa Igiebor, Eneji Otekpa, Nnamdi Oduamadi – Ekigho Ehiosun, Odion Ighalo
– Nigeria U23s have lined up a very attacking formation led by Ekigho Ehiosun and Odion Ighalo against Ghana. But VVV Venlo star Ahmed Musa is not included as he has returned to his Dutch club. Otherwise, Eguavoen has maintained his usual first XI.
– From all indications, the rains will not shift today’s tie as was the case last week when a heavy downpour forced the Olympic qualifier against Tanzania to be moved till the next day. So far the sun in Benin City is up and bright after a light drizzle…
– Welcome to our live match play by play of this All Africa Games qualifier between Nigeria and Ghana.
Originally posted here:
Ft: Nigeria U23 3-1 Ghana U23