A five goal thriller in the 8-Nation International tournament between Ghana and Nigeria resulted in a 3-2 win for the Black Satellites (Ghana).

Despite the cold at Athlone, spectators had come out in good numbers for the two games and there was a great atmosphere at kick off time, ahead of what became a match of top quality and continuous excitement.

This game proved to be a real clash of two West African powerhouses, both in terms of their stature on the continent and in terms of the powerful physiques of nearly every player out on the field.

It was Ghana who made the stronger start to the game, penetrating their opponents’ defence several times with some direct play.

Ghana managed to get in three or four shots on goal in the opening 10 minutes, though it was only a 25-yard effort from Jacob Apau which was on target, Nigerian keeper Chukwunenye Okani able to make a relatively comfortable save.

Ghana continued to dominate for the most part of the first 25 minutes, earning four corners in this period.

Okani did well to keep the match goal-less when after 30 minutes he rushed quickly off his line to block Apau’s way to goal.

A minute later and Ghana right wing Frank Sarfo-Gyamfi left his man for dead with fantastic pace and power, before firing just over the bar.

Still Ghana continued to press as Fatam Abdul came close with a shot from an audacious angle which Okani did well to save, and then in the 37th minute Sarfo-Gyamfi was unfortunate to see his shot rebound off the upright.

It was the Flying Eagles who were to take a surprise lead, two minutes after the break when Uche Agbo squeezed in a header via the upright, following a corner kick.

But the lead only lasted three minutes as Ghana struck back to equalise, Baba Abdul firing in a scorching low drive from 25-yards after the ball had broken to him.

The match had by this stage developed into a real thriller and after 70 minutes Nigeria were back in front when Black Satellites keeper Felix Annan dropped an aerial ball, allowing Aminu Umar to slot a 14-yard shot into the top corner; 2-1 Nigeria.

Going into the final 10 minutes and Ghana began to crank up the pressure as they pushed hard for a goal.

Seidu Salifu came close when he ran in on goal, but Nigeria keeper Okani was extremely quick to move off his line and make a brave block. 

However, with seven minutes of regulation time to go, the Black Satellites had their equaliser, thanks to a rocket of a free kick from Sarfo-Gyamfi.

Ghana were not yet finished however, and in the 88th minute they went ahead for the first time when Moro Ibrahim showed great composure to pick out Salifu in the centre, the striker finishing with a clinical first time effort to seal a thrilling win in a remarkable game of football.

Nigeria next faces Argentina on Sunday, 27 May at the Cape Town Stadium.

Kickoff is at 16h30.

In the earlier Group A match, South Africa lost 3-1 to Argentina.