Good afternoon and welcome to the live text coverage of the clash between the Black Galaxies of Ghana and the Super Eagles B of Nigeria.
The Ghana national team made up of players assembled from the local league is looking to overcome their Nigeria counterpart to qualify for the 2023 CHAN tournament.
The team nicknamed the Black Galaxies have failed to qualify for all of the last three CHAN tournaments.
Today, Ghana is hosting Nigeria in the first leg of the final playoff round of the qualifiers for next year’s tournament.
Ahead of kick-off, Coach Annor Walker has named a strong starting eleven for the contest.
The coach has kept faith in goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim who will be protected by a back four made up of Konadu Yiadom and Mohammed Alhassan.
Captain Gladson Awako also starts the game and will be linking up play with Hearts of Oak poster boy Daniel Afriyie Barnieh who is leading the lines for the Nigeria game.
Check out the Black Galaxies team in full below:
Danlad Ibrahim (GK)
Augustine Randolph
Konadu Yiadom
Mohammed Alhassan
Dennis Nkrumah Korsah
Razak Kassim
Gladson Awako (C)
Seidu Suraj
Jonah Attuquaye
Daniel Afriyie Barnieh
Evans Osei-Wusu
Below is the Nigeria starting eleven for the game against Ghana’s Black Galxies.
1. Adewale Adeyinka Sunday (GK) 2. Temitope Olusesi (C) 3. Ebube Duru 5. Emmanuel Oluwatosin Adegbite 4. Nosiru Afeez 6. Dare Samson Gbadebo 15. Babatunde Bello 7. Joseph Onoja 11. Adamu Abubakar 9. Chijioke Nnamdi Akuneto 12. Andy Okpe
We are fast approaching kick-off to the highly-anticipated clash with just 30 minutes for the action to begin.
Here we go. The two teams have marched onto the pitch for the start of the game.
First Half;
1' We are off at the Cape Coast Stadium. It is the Black Galaxies that kick us off.
3' It's been a closed game since the start of the encounter. Both teams are yet to settle.
4' Ghana breaks on a counterattack, Augustine Randolph tries to find Afriyie Barnieh but his cross is a few meters high. What a chance.
6' Nigeria bursts forward with pace and wins a corner kick. This looks dangerous. The resulting kick is easily dealt with by Ghana's defense.
8' Lots of action in today's contest. Who will get the first goal?
11' Ghana have so far dominated the first ten minutes of the encounter. Unfortunately, nothing to show for their efforts.
14' Free-kick to Nigeria. Adamu Abubakari powers one but it's always rising. Goal kick to Ghana.
17' A series of bad passes from the Ghana players see the Galaxies losing possession on many occasions.
19' Shouts for a Ghana foul in the Nigeria area but the referee waves play on.
21' Nigeria bursts forward down the right-hand side. Duro attempts to cross but Augustine Randolph is there with a block.
24' Still no goals in this contest. There is not much to separate the two teams.
28' Nigeria threaten after winning a few fouls. But for the intervention of Mohammed Alhassan Ghana could be trailing.
30' Ghana clearly struggling to get behind the defense of Ghana. Solid defending from the visitors. We now go for a small water break. Coaches of both teams take advantage to issue some instructions to players.
32' Game is back underway for the final 15 minutes of the game.
39 First change for Ghana. David Abagna comes on to replace Evans Owusu.
40' The substitute immediately is called into action. He connects to a free kick from Gladson Awako but his header goes over the bar.
41' Ghana pushes for the opening goal as we approach halftime.
45' Gladson Awako with a brilliant through ball to Suraj Seidu. He is through on goal but cannot fire at goal because he is off-side. A close on there. We will do three minutes of injury time.
45+2' Dennis Korsah tries his effort from distance. Goalkeeper fumbles but Afriyie Barnieh is unable to score put the back in the back of the net.
Half time; The first half of the contest ends in a goalless stalemate. We are back after 15 minutes with the sceond half action.
Second Half: we are back underway for the second half of the game.
46’ Ghana said wins a penalty right after recess.
48 Goal!!! Daniel Afriyie Barnieh scores to give Ghana the lead.
50’ Nigeria in trouble now after going behind. The visitors are showing no signs of a way back into the game.
52’ The Ghana supporters have been hanging mad fun after the team took the lead. A long way to victory though.
54’ Nigeria win a corner kick after coming forward with intent, The Ghana defense is alert and deals with the danger.
57 ‘ Chance! Ghana enjoys a good deal of possession. David Abagna is presented with a good chance but his effort goes over the bar.
60’ We have reached the hour mark. It’s still Ghana with a deserved lead. Exciting game here at the Cape Coast Stadium.
63’ The Nigeria goalkeeper required medical attention. He is crushed by Suraj Seidu after a dangerous cross from the right. Fortunately he is alright and play can continue.
67' Nigeria after conceding that goal have defended very well.
70' The Super Eagles B team push forward again but the team can't quite break the backline of Ghana.
74' Great play from Daniel Afriyie Barnieh. He holds up play and finds his teammates, the final connection however lets the team down.
77' Ghana pushing for the second goal but Nigeria proving to be tough, especially in defense.
80' We are into the final 10 minutes of the game. Will there be another goal in this one?
83' Danlad Ibrahim pulls off a fantastic save. It would not have even counted if the ball had entered his net as the referee calls a foul in favour of Ghana.
85 Goal. Ghana's Black Galaxies score a second goal through Suraj Seidu. That was a great team play.
90' We will do just 3 minutes of injury time.
Full Time. Ghana records a 2-0 win against Nigeria in the first leg of the clash. Good performance from the Black Galaxies.