Nigeria 2-1 Ghana: Dessers, Lookman on target as Super Eagles soar

• Nigeria secured a 2-1 win over Ghana in an international friendly match played at the Stade de Marrakech, Morocco on Friday.
• Goals from Cyriel Dessers and Ademola Lookman handed the Super Eagles their first win over Ghana since 2006.

After serving as Jose Peseiro's assistant for 22 months, Enyimba FC coach George Finidi took charge of the Super Eagles on an interim basis for the first time.

The former AFC Ajax winger handed defender Benjamin Tanimu his Super Eagles debut, but it was on the other end that Nigeria caused Ghana a lot of trouble.

Nigeria eventually made their early dominance count when Dessers opened the scoring from the penalty spot after the referee spotted a Ghanaian handball in the box.

The Super Eagles had enough chances to punish the Black Stars before and after that goal. Still, they only doubled their advantage in the second half when Alex Iwobi set up substitute Ademola Lookman for an emphatic finish.

Ghana, who had been reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Jerome Osei Opoku in the 56th minute, got their consolation goal through Jordan Ayew in stoppage time. The Crystal Palace striker sent Nwabali the wrong way from the penalty spot after Bright Osayi-Samuel committed a foul in the box.

The victory is Nigeria's 12th in all competitions against Ghana, but the Black Stars still hold the head-to-head advantage over their eternal rivals with 22 wins.

On Tuesday, 26th March, Nigeria will take on Mali's Eagles also at the Stade de Marrakech, in the second of their double-headed friendly during this international window.