he score of 2-1 in Nigeria's favour on paper depicts the title of this piece. It gives the impression of a narrow victory for the Super Eagles of Nigeria ; and it was so, after over ninety minutes of soccer action between two west-African traditional soccer power houses and great rivals!

The Ghanaians gave a good account of themselves; more especially, in the second half, when the Super Eagles apparently 'collapsed' in mid-field, apparently, due to the substitutions of Coach Eric Chelle that somewhat unbalanced the Super Eagles' organisation.

The Super Eagles started well in their 'experimental' 4-3-3 formation ; an unusual formation for Coach Chelle. They adopted from the start of the game, the now characteristic "high pressing" tactic of Coach Chelle ! The Ghanaians as a consequence, were dominated in all aspects of the game. The Super Eagles came close to scoring on a number of occassions; but were denied by the combined effects of fortune and a good Ghanaian goalkeeper.

However, there was no stopping the first goal for Nigeria by the " highly predatory" Cyriel Dessers. In his characteristic style, he positioned himself well to beautifully control ( he exhibited beautiful ball control) a beautiful cross pass by Sadique Ismaila to slot home beautifully Nigeria's first goal ! Cyriel Dessers may not be the most skillful centre-forward, but certainly knows a thing a two about positioning himself well in the vital area to make hay if the opportunity presents itself !

The second goal followed shortly afterwards, through a glancing header by Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, via a well-taken free-kick by Samuel Chukwueze, that defelected off a Ghanaian player to rest in the net for Nigeria's second goal !

The Super Eagles missed two clear-cut chances to further increase the lead in the first half! And, consequently, took the two-goal lead to the half time.

If anybody told yours truly that the Ghanaians would threaten the Super Eagles like they did in the second half , even coming close to equalising; considering the Super Eagles' dominace in the first half and the Super Eagles' assets on the substitutes' bench, one would have roundly disagreed.

But nearly unfortunately for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, that was the second half's reality. Due to the aforementioned reason ; in addition to the deft tactical manoeuvering by Coach Addo.

The 'actors' in the 4-3-3 formation of Nigeria were :

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. He had a good game. He helped Nigeria eek-out the narrow victory, by his timely interventions. However, he mistakingly gifted the Ghanaians with a pass in the vital area in the first half; which the Ghanaians took with both hands, but he recovered to block the goal-bound shot from the Ghanaian!

The back four consisted of :

Sadique Ismaila, at right-back. He had a good game; he gave the vital cross for the first goal!;

Bruno Onyemaechi, at left-back, was solid;

Semi Ajayi, alias "The gentleman giant " was solid as centre-half and defence chief. He beautifully organised a solid defensive organisation in the first half that gave no quarters to the Ghanaians! However, a loss of concentration in the second half, in the central defensive area, occassioned by a temporary lack of defensive leadership by him, gifted the Ghanaians their only goal! Coach Chelle, apparently, reacted by subsequently substituting him.

Igoh Ogbu, was at left-half back. He generally had a good debut as a Super Eagle.

The three-man mid-field consisted of :

Stand-in Skipper Wilfred Ndidi, alias the "The baggy-bagger" or " Ndidi bus-stop ";

Frank " The tank " Onyeaka and Papa Daniel Mustapha.

The mid-field under leadership of Skipper Wilfred Ndidi, did very well in the first half; consequently, Nigeria scored two goals and missed two close opportunities. However, it collapsed in the closing stages of the second half, apparently, for the aforementioned reasons.

The three-man offensive unit had:

Samuel Chukwueze, alias " El Fantastico" as winger; he gave the vital lobbed pass off a free-kick that resulted in the second goal!

Debutant Sikiru Aimi was the other winger and " The highly predatory " Cyriel Dessers, was the centre-forward. He did well scoring a goal! He could have scored more goals in the second half, but for the collapse of the mid-field and the concomittant reduced wing activity.

The substitutes did their best for the period they were on display. Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho, alias "Senior man" , scored what could have been Nigeria's third goal; but was disallowed for an offside call!

Conclusion:

Coach Eric Chelle can now analyse the Super Eagles' performance against Ghana, and, subsequently, make the necessary re-adjustments for the clash against Jamaica, in the final of the unity cup tournament.

On a final note , congratulations to the Super Eagles, the technical crew, the NFF and all of us the Super Eagles' fervent supporters.

UP SUPER EAGLES ! UP NIGERIA !!!!!!