As in the first half, Nigeria weathered pressure and finished stronger – Vincent Atingah’s goal-line clearance and further heroics from goalkeeper Addo denying Friday Ubong and Okpotu an early lead. In the midst of this, the Black Stars suffered a big set-back as Isaac Twum left the field injured, and was subsequently replaced by Ahmed Adams.
But the hosts came agonisingly close to leading with 15 minutes left in the first half as Emmanuel Lomotey strong header off a corner pecked the crossbar. In the second half, Yusuf’s men continued to have the better of the play and this paid off when Okpotu dashed into the Ghanaians penalty area, dismissed his markers and fired home the curtain raiser.
Ghana’s defence became disjointed and three minutes later, they let in the second goal thanks to Eneji’s unstoppable missile. The hosts continued to battle away and were left feeling aggrieved as a penalty appeal was turned down when one of their strikers went down under a slight challenge.
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