Jordan Ayew (L) and Razak Simpson (R) underperformed against Nigeria
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew and Nations FC defender Razak Simpson have faced backlash following Ghana’s defeat to Nigeria in the 2025 Unity Cup.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Black Stars in the semi-finals of the Unity Cup at the GTech Community Stadium on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, advancing to the tournament final.
This result marks Ghana’s first defeat to Nigeria since 2006, ending a 19-year unbeaten streak against the Super Eagles.
The Black Stars will now face Trinidad and Tobago in the third-place playoff, while Nigeria advance to meet Jamaica in the final on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the same venue.
Some football fans slammed Jordan Ayew for missing a clear chance that he could have easily tapped into the goalpost to level the score.
The skipper was also criticised for holding the ball for too long without being productive, when he could have passed to other players to create a chance.
Simpson was heavily chastised for his poor defending, which contributed to the two goals the team conceded, especially the second.
Ghanaian football fans blamed the two players for the defeat, which could have been avoided had they improved their performance.
Read the reactions below:
Jordan Ayew’s style of playing football is annoying, he always chooses to slow transition
— BH (@BRYSONHELSON) May 28, 2025
This ball he for head am la oh he do yawa
— Circuit_Master (@BenjaminFr80) May 29, 2025
U guys always come out with unnecessary stats to back the local players, now see
— Richard Junior (@Richard33012122) May 28, 2025
I’m not surprised his team is relegated
— Jonathan G (@JoeGbevor) May 29, 2025
Such players always paying their way to the team. Watch him and u will be like how did this people get high rating
— Sweet Canny🔟 (@RichardSowu2) May 28, 2025
He won’t release ball on time too
— Edem Amponsah (@edem_amponsah) May 28, 2025
He’s the one who has cost us both goals
— quamemanuell22 (@quamemanuell22) May 28, 2025
If we lose it’s Jordan’s fault
— Cobby Cypher (@buuluvinn) May 28, 2025
Good morning to everyone except Jordan Ayew.
— C-Smoke 🇵🇸 (@DatUncleOfYours) May 29, 2025
SB/EB
Watch scenes from the opening ceremony of the 2025 Western Region Inter-Schools event