African football giants Nigeria and Ghana are set to renew their historic rivalry in a highly anticipated semi-final clash of the 2025 Unity Cup Invitational Tournament. The match, scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium in London, holds immense sporting and cultural significance, particularly for the passionate diasporas of both nations residing in the UK. This encounter is another chapter in their 74-year footballing feud, which has consistently produced thrilling and emotionally charged battles.

Historically, Ghana's Black Stars have had a slight edge in head-to-head encounters. However, Nigeria's Super Eagles will draw confidence from their recent 2-1 victory over Ghana in a friendly in Marrakech in March 2023, a win secured by goals from Cyriel Dessers and Ademola Lookman, which ended an 18-year winless streak against their rivals. That previous Nigerian victory was a 1-0 triumph at the 2006 AFCON in Egypt, thanks to a Taye Taiwo goal. Ghana boasts the most dominant win, a 7-0 demolition in a Jalco Cup tie in Accra in 1955. The Black Stars also defeated Nigeria 4-1 the last time they met at Brentford in a 2007 friendly and famously knocked the Super Eagles out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on away goals. Nigeria, too, has had significant victories, including a 3-0 thrashing of Ghana in Port Harcourt to qualify for the 2002 World Cup and eliminating them from the 1984 AFCON.

Nigeria's Head Coach, Eric Sekou-Chelle, has assembled a squad blending domestic and Europe-based talent for this crucial encounter. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is expected to start, supported by defenders such as Semi Ajayi, Felix Agu, Sodiq Ismaila, and Bruno Onyemaechi. The midfield is bolstered by Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, while the attack features returning captain Ahmed Musa, Simon Moses, Cyriel Dessers, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Samuel Chukwueze. Belgium Pro League top scorer Tolu Arokodare was also anticipated to join the squad. Coach Sekou-Chelle sees the Unity Cup as an opportunity to assess players ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifying series. Captain Ahmed Musa, now playing for Kano Pillars, expressed his determination to prove his continued relevance to the national team and called for fan support, acknowledging recent disappointments. The Super Eagles arrived in Brentford on Monday to commence preparations.

Ghana's Head Coach, Otto Addo, a former Borussia Dortmund winger, is preparing his Black Stars for what will be his fourth encounter against Nigeria. Having lost 2-1 in their previous meeting in March 2023, Addo is keen for his team to secure a win, emphasizing the importance of the rivalry and the desire to make their supporters proud. He views the tournament as a critical test for his players ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Coach Addo has recalled Juventus Next Generation forward Felix Afena-Gyan to the squad for the first time since 2022, backing the young player to showcase his abilities despite recent career challenges. Afena-Gyan, who has scored six goals in 30 appearances for his Serie C side, was expected to join the camp in London. The Black Stars completed their final training session on Tuesday, May 27, with a full complement of 23 players, gearing up for victory.

The 2025 Unity Cup marks a significant moment for the tournament, which originally took place in 2004 featuring Nigeria, Jamaica, and the Republic of Ireland, with Nigeria emerging as champions with Obafemi Martins and John Utaka among the scorers. After a lengthy hiatus, its return brings together Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago, aiming to reignite friendly yet fierce rivalries on British soil. The Nigeria-Ghana semi-final is one of two; the other semi-final, featuring Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, took place the previous day, with Jamaica securing their place in the final. The final of the 2025 Unity Cup is scheduled for Saturday, May 31, where the winner of the Nigeria-Ghana clash will face Jamaica.

With both teams eager to claim bragging rights and advance to the final, the clash at the Gtech Community Stadium promises to be a captivating spectacle. Coaches from both sides have stressed that while officially a friendly tournament, matches between Nigeria and Ghana are never truly 'friendly,' driven by deep-seated rivalry and national pride. Football fans anticipate another memorable chapter in West African football history as both nations also use this platform for their 2026 World Cup qualification campaigns.