Nigeria vs Ghana: Everything You Need to Know About the Unity Cup

Three-time African champions, Nigeria, will face off against four-time champions, Ghana, in the Unity Cup Invitational Tournament in London on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 19:45hrs.

Nigeria and Ghana have, for the past 74 years, been fierce rivals and despite this competition being one of a friendly nature, the rivalry often tagged ‘Jollof Derby’ is expected to be feisty, as both teams vie for not only a spot in the Unity Cup final but for pride.

What is the Unity Cup?

The Unity Cup is a four-team invitational tournament featuring the African giants Nigeria and Ghana, alongside Caribbean rivals Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.

This competition aims to promote football and culture among African and Caribbean nations with significant populations in the United Kingdom. It has been revived after over 20 years of dormancy, with its inaugural edition held in London from May 29 to June 2, 2004, where Nigeria emerged victorious.

With the Premier League season concluded Brentford FC’s home ground has been adopted for the mini-tournament.

Unity Cup Fixtures:

Tuesday, May 27: Jamaica vs. Trinidad & Tobago (19:40 hrs) – Jamaica won 3-2.

Wednesday, May 28: Nigeria vs. Ghana (19:40 hrs).

Saturday, May 31:

Loser of SF 1 (Trinidad & Tobago) vs. Loser of SF 2 (13:30 hrs).

Winner of SF 1 (Jamaica) vs. Winner of SF 2 (TBA).

In the head to head, The Black Stars of Ghana leads with 22 wins, while Nigeria has 13 victories, and 21 draws. The Super Eagles have won three of their last five meetings.

Nigeria’s match against rivals Ghana in West London presents another opportunity for the Super Eagles to showcase their skills. Head Coach Eric Chelle has assembled an exciting mix of home-based players and those based overseas.

Team News

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is expected to start, with Semi Ajayi, Felix Agu, Sodiq Ismaila, Igoh Ogbu, Bruno Onyemaechi, Junior Nduka, Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, and Waliu Ojetoye vying for positions in defence. In midfield, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Papa Daniel Mustapha, Saviour Isaac, and Collins Ogwueze will compete for spots. Christantus Uche had not yet arrived at the team’s Doubletree By Hilton Ealing hotel as of Tuesday evening.

In the forward line, Coach Eric Chelle has Ahmed Musa, Simon Moses, Kelechi Iheanacho, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Samuel Chukwueze, Sikiru Alimi, and Adamu Abubakar available.

Tolu Arokodare, who recently won the Belgium Pro League’s top scorer award, arrived on Tuesday night and may not play due to a lack of training with the team.

Ghana’s squad includes four home-based players and 19 who play abroad. Among the international players are Abdul Aziz Issah and Aaron Essel, both of whom participated in the recent U20 AFCON.

Key players returning to the team are Sunderland midfielder Abdul Samed Salis, Majeed Ashimeru from Anderlecht, and Juventus Next Gen striker Felix Afena-Gyan. Their presence will strengthen the midfield and attack.

Several key players are unavailable for this match. Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo will not be participating. However, Jordan Ayew is expected to lead the team against Nigeria.

Historical Overview of the Nigeria vs. Ghana Clashes:

October 20, 1951 (Jalco Cup): Nigeria 5 – Ghana 0

October 11, 1953 (Jalco Cup): Ghana 1 – Nigeria 0

October 30, 1954 (Jalco Cup): Nigeria 3 – Ghana 0

October 30, 1955 (Jalco Cup): Ghana 7 – Nigeria 0

October 27, 1956 (Jalco Cup): Nigeria 3 – Ghana 0

October 27, 1957 (Jalco Cup): Ghana 3 – Nigeria 3

October 25, 1958 (Jalco Cup): Nigeria 3 – Ghana 2

October 10, 1959 (Olympics Qualifier): Nigeria 3 – Ghana 1

October 26, 1959 (Olympics Qualifier): Ghana 4 – Nigeria 1

November 22, 1959 (Jalco Cup): Ghana 5 – Nigeria 2

August 28, 1960 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 4 – Nigeria 1

September 10, 1960 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 2 – Ghana 2

October 9, 1960 (Nkrumah Cup): Nigeria 0 – Ghana 3

October 29, 1960 (Zik Cup): Nigeria 1 – Ghana 1

April 8, 1961 (AFCON Qualifier): Nigeria 0 – Ghana 0

April 30, 1961 (AFCON Qualifier): Ghana 2 – Nigeria 2

December 17, 1961 (Friendly): Ghana 5 – Nigeria 1

November 10, 1962 (Friendly): Nigeria 0 – Ghana 0

February 23, 1963 (Nkrumah Cup): Ghana 5 – Nigeria 0

October 30, 1965 (Zik Cup): Nigeria 0 – Ghana 4

November 7, 1965 (Zik Cup): Ghana 3 – Nigeria 0

January 23, 1967 (Zik Cup): Nigeria 2 – Ghana 2

February 12, 1967 (Zik Cup): Ghana 2 – Nigeria 0

October 22, 1967 (Zik Cup): Ghana 2 – Nigeria 1

December 23, 1967 (Zik Cup): Nigeria 2 – Ghana 2

May 10, 1969 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 2 – Ghana 1

May 18, 1969 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 1 – Nigeria 1

January 8, 1973 (All-Africa Games): Nigeria 4 – Ghana 2

February 10, 1973 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 2 – Ghana 3 (abandoned, awarded 2-0 to Ghana)

February 25, 1973 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 0 – Nigeria 0

August 11, 1974 (Festival): Nigeria 1 – Ghana 0

August 17, 1974 (Festival): Nigeria 0 – Ghana 1

August 24, 1975 (Festival): Ghana 1 – Nigeria 2

August 30, 1975 (Festival): Ghana 3 – Nigeria 0

September 4, 1977 (Ecowas Cup): Nigeria 2 – Ghana 1

March 8, 1978 (AFCON): Ghana 1 – Nigeria 1

July 21, 1978 (All-Africa Games): Ghana 0 – Nigeria 0

May 1, 1983 (ECA Anniversary): Ghana 1 – Nigeria 0

October 15, 1983 (Olympics Qualifier): Nigeria 0 – Ghana 0

October 30, 1983 (Olympics Qualifier): Ghana 1 – Nigeria 2

March 5, 1984 (AFCON): Ghana 1 – Nigeria 2

July 27, 1986 (Friendly): Ghana 2 – Nigeria 0

September 2, 1990 (AFCON Qualifier): Ghana 1 – Nigeria 0

April 13, 1991 (AFCON Qualifier): Nigeria 0 – Ghana 0

January 23, 1992 (AFCON): Ghana 2 – Nigeria 1

March 9, 1994 (Friendly): Nigeria 0 – Ghana 0

August 28, 1999 (Friendly): Nigeria 0 – Ghana 0

March 11, 2001 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 0 – Nigeria 0

July 29, 2001 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 3 – Ghana 0

February 3, 2002 (AFCON): Ghana 0 – Nigeria 1

December 15, 2002 (Friendly): Ghana 0 – Nigeria 1

May 30, 2003 (LG Cup): Nigeria 3 – Ghana 1

January 23, 2006 (AFCON): Ghana 0 – Nigeria 1

February 6, 2007 (Friendly): Ghana 4 – Nigeria 1

February 3, 2008 (AFCON): Ghana 2 – Nigeria 1

January 28, 2010 (AFCON): Ghana 1 – Nigeria 0

October 11, 2011 (Friendly): Ghana 0 – Nigeria 0

March 25, 2022 (WC Qualifier): Ghana 0 – Nigeria 0

March 29, 2022 (WC Qualifier): Nigeria 1 – Ghana 1

March 23, 2024 (Friendly): Ghana 1 – Nigeria 2