Christipher Bonsu Baah and Brandon Thomas Asante shone for the Black Stars in their 2-1 defeat to Nigeria in the 2025 Unity Cup.
A Cyriel Dessers strike and a Razak Simpson own goal put Nigeria two-goals ahead before Ghana equalized through Brandon Thomas Asante.
Kickoffghana looks at how the Black Stars performed.
Benjamin Asare – 4
Asare was yet to concede against goal for Ghana after his first two games. But against Nigeria, the Hearts of Oak goalkeeper was all over the place, looking jittery. His decision-making was questionable throughout the game and was often out of his goal.
Razak Simpson – 3
Probably the worst game in Razak Simpson’s career.
Simpson looked uneasy throughout the game and performed below his usual self. His own goal summarised a difficult day for the center back.
Aaron Essel – 4
Another player who looked anything but comfortable. Essel struggled to cope with the intensity of the game until he was ultimately withdrawn by Annan before the end of the first half. The U20 starlet will hope he gets other opportunities to impress.
Gideon Mensah – 4
The most experienced player in Ghana’s backline did little to help the team override Nigeria’s siege in the first half. Chukuweze had a field day against Mensah.
Kamaradini Mamudu – 4
Hardly got on the ball, and when he did, he didn’t look too much convincing.
Stephan Ambrosious
Used his physicality ti good effect to win certain duels for Ghana but that was all that there was. He lacked the prerequisite paxe to deal with Nigeria’s attackers.
Salis Samed – 4
Barely played for Sunderland throughout the season. It was evident he struggled to cope with the pace of the game from the start despite settling in the second half. Looked very rusty.
Majeed Ashimeru – 4
Looked like a rare ray of hope when he progressed the ball up field for Ghana but there wasn’t a tangible end result. Went down towards the end of the game with an apparent knock.
Jordan Ayew – 5
Won some important fouls for Ghana high up the pitch and was trying to make things happen from set pieces. Should have probably buried his opportunity he got in the second half.
Kwame Opoku – 4
The Kotoko striker was fortunate not to have been taken off in the first half. Not the ideal return Opoku wanted on his Black Stars return. His not so-good dance moves in the Black Stars was watchable than his performance against Nigeria.
Christopher Bonsu Baah – 6
A refreshen player to watch. Deadpan direct, positive and always trying things. He was a constant threat down Ghana’s right all game.
Caleb Yirenkyi – 5
On his first Black Stars appearance, Yirenkyi played with relative ease, seamlessly slotting in at right back, where he held his own.
Thomas-Asante – 6
Once he stepped on the pitch, he ran after every lost course and looked very up for it. He was rewarded with a close range finish.
Ebenezer Annan – 4
Just like Essel, Annan had minimal impact in the game.
Abu Francis – 4
Came on in the second half and offered himself up as a link between midfield and attcak but the team rarely found him.
Mohammed Fuseini – N/A
He would have had an unforgettable debut had his shot (his first touch) gone in. He had little time on hand to impress.
