The Super Eagles of Nigeria are set to reignite their historic rivalry with the Black Stars of Ghana in an international friendly scheduled to take place in London. This highly anticipated match comes as both teams continue preparations for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Before facing Ghana, the Super Eagles will travel to Moscow to take on Russia in another international friendly on Friday, June 6. Following that fixture, the team will fly out to England for the much-anticipated showdown against the Black Stars, according to reports from SCORENigeria. However, the exact venue and date for the game are yet to be confirmed.
The Super Eagles will be looking to build on their recent success against Ghana, having secured a 2-1 victory over Otto Addo’s side in a friendly match played in March 2024. That victory was a morale booster for Nigeria, especially after the heartbreak of failing to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup at the hands of the Black Stars. The upcoming friendly presents another opportunity for Nigeria to assert their dominance over their West African rivals while fine-tuning their squad for future competitive matches.
A Fierce Rivalry Renewed
The football rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana is one of the most intense in African football, dating back several decades. The two nations have met numerous times in high-stakes encounters, with each side enjoying periods of dominance.
One of the most memorable clashes between the two teams came during the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semifinals, where Ghana emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win, courtesy of a goal from Asamoah Gyan. Another major encounter occurred in 2022 when Ghana eliminated Nigeria from the World Cup qualifiers, securing their place in Qatar with an away-goal advantage after a 1-1 draw in Abuja. That result was a bitter pill to swallow for Nigerian fans, leading to widespread disappointment and calls for reforms in the national team setup.
The Super Eagles, however, gained some measure of revenge in their recent friendly victory in March 2024. That win has renewed hope among Nigerian supporters that the team is on the right path to reclaiming its position as one of Africa’s football powerhouses. The upcoming friendly in London will offer another test of their progress and provide an opportunity for both teams to evaluate their squads ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Super Eagles’ Squad and Preparation
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is expected to call up a strong squad for the friendly matches against Russia and Ghana. Key players such as Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, and Fulham’s Alex Iwobi are likely to feature as the team gears up for the World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa in September.
Coach José Peseiro will be looking to use the friendlies to assess different tactical approaches and fine-tune his preferred formation. The Super Eagles have been inconsistent in recent months, with flashes of brilliance overshadowed by lapses in concentration. The match against Ghana will provide an opportunity to work on defensive stability, attacking fluidity, and overall team chemistry.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s squad is also expected to feature key players such as Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, and Inaki Williams. The Black Stars, like Nigeria, are in the rebuilding phase following a disappointing 2022 World Cup campaign and a below-par performance at AFCON 2024. Their coach, Otto Addo, will be looking to use the friendly to test new combinations and strengthen team cohesion.
The Significance of the Friendly
While the match is categorized as a friendly, there is no such thing as a “friendly” encounter between Nigeria and Ghana. Pride, bragging rights, and national pride are always on the line when these two West African giants clash. The rivalry transcends football, touching on historical and cultural connections between the two nations.
For Nigeria, a victory would serve as a confidence booster ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, reinforcing belief in the team’s ability to compete at the highest level. For Ghana, the match represents a chance to regain momentum and demonstrate that they remain a formidable force in African football.
The Super Eagles will be particularly motivated to win, as they seek to continue their resurgence under Peseiro and prove that their recent victory over Ghana was not a fluke. Fans from both countries will be eagerly watching, and the game is expected to attract a large crowd, especially given the significant Ghanaian and Nigerian communities in the United Kingdom.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Both Nigeria and Ghana have set their sights on securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The road to qualification will not be easy, as African teams face stiff competition for a limited number of spots.
The Super Eagles have been drawn into a tough qualifying group, which includes Rwanda and South Africa. Their campaign kicks off in September, making the upcoming friendlies against Russia and Ghana crucial for assessing their preparedness. A positive result against the Black Stars would give the team much-needed momentum heading into those important fixtures.
Ghana, on the other hand, also faces a challenging path to the World Cup and will use the friendly as an opportunity to refine their squad and tactics. Their rivalry with Nigeria has always brought out the best in both teams, and this encounter in London will be no different.
Conclusion
The upcoming friendly between Nigeria and Ghana in London is more than just a warm-up game—it is another chapter in one of Africa’s greatest football rivalries. With both teams eager to test their strengths ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, fans can expect a highly competitive and entertaining match.
While the venue and date are yet to be finalized, excitement is already building among supporters of both nations. The Super Eagles will aim to secure another victory over their fierce rivals, while the Black Stars will be determined to bounce back and reclaim bragging rights. Whatever the outcome, one thing is certain: whenever Nigeria and Ghana meet on the football pitch, sparks are sure to fly.
