Top 5 most famous Ghana wins over Nigeria in competitive games

Ghana will be in hunt for their 4th appearance at the FIFA World Cup when they face bitterest rivals Nigeria on Friday, March 25 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The Black Stars have in the past faced Nigeria on 56 occasions, winning 25 of those encounters, drawing 19 and losing 12.

In competitive games, the two West African giants have faced-off 20 times, the Black Stars have won 6 times including in the 1974 World Cup qualifier in Abuja when they were awarded points. Nigeria have won 5 times and the remaining 9 games have ended in draws.

Here, MahamaShaibu.com brings you 3 of Ghana’s biggest wins against Nigeria in competitive games:

August 28, 1960: Ghana 4-1 Nigeria

The 1962 FIFA World Cup qualifier was the first official meeting between Ghana and Nigeria. The game was played in Accra and was officiated by English referee Arthur Holland. Ghana won the game 4-1, courtesy goals from Edward Acquah, Edward Boateng, Aggrey Fynn and Mohamadu Salisu. Nigeria’s only goal was scored by Dejo Fayemi.

The return leg ended 2-2 and Ghana progressed to the second round of the qualifiers only to lose 1-0 to Morocco on aggregate.

January 23, 1992: Ghana 2-1 Nigeria

Ghana and Nigeria battled it out at the Stade de l’Amitie in Dakar for an opportunity to face the Ivory Coast in an all-west African final at the 1992 Nations Cup in Senegal. The Black Stars after going down in the 11th minute through a fine effort from Mutiu Adepoju scored in the 43rd and 54th minute through Abedi Ayew and Prince Polley respectively.

Ghana went into the final without talisman Abedi Pele due to suspension and painfully lost the game after a marathon of penalty shootouts.

February 2, 2008: Ghana 2-1 Nigeria

Once again, the two West African rivals renewed their rivalry at the 2008 African Cup of Nations. This time it was at the Accra Sports Stadium in front of 40,000 football fans. Nigeria shot themselves into the lead in the 33rd minute through a spot-kick calmly converted by Yakubu Aiyegbeni. Ghana leveled the score on the stroke of halftime through Michael Essien. The Black Stars were reduced to 10-men in the 58th minute, John Mensah was shown a straight red card for a cynical challenge on Odemwingie. Despite being a man down, Junior Agogo scored the winner in the 83rd minute to send the Accra Sports Stadium gay.

Unfortunately, Ghana’s hopes to “host and win the competition came to a halt in the Semifinal when they lost 1-0 to Cameroon.

January 8, 2010: Ghana 1-0 Nigeria

For the 7th time at the African Cup of Nations, Ghana battled with Nigeria. The young and inexperienced Black Stars side battled with a fully fledged Nigerian side led by Vincent Eyeama for a place in the final of the continental showpiece event at the Estadio 11 de Novembre. Asamoah Gyan scored the only goal of the game in the 21st minute. Ghana sealed a place in the finally but unfortunately succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Egypt in the final.

September 1, 1990: Ghana 1-0 Nigeria

Ghana and Nigeria together with Togo, Benin and Burkina Faso were drawn in Group D for the 1992 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The Black Stars edged their rivals 1-0 in the their first encounter at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Saara-Mensah scored the only goal of the game in the 32nd minute. The return leg ended 0-0, however both nations secured qualification to the AFCON after Ghana finished in first place and Nigeria second place.

-Mahamashaibu