Ghanaian and Nigerian students locked horns over the weekend in a friendly football match at the St. Thomas Aquinas football pitch. The soccer competition organised by the Entertainment Committee under the tutelage of Fred Deegbe, the Ashesi Students’ Council President, Thomas Omari Daddey, Sports Chairman and the Entertainment Committee followed Ghana’s one nil loss to Nigeria at the 2006 African Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt. The intramural match commenced on the 10^th of February, 2006 and generated a high level of interest from the whole student body.

The game which ended in a score of four goals to three in favour of Ghanaian Ashesians, proved to be a highly entertaining affair. 

The Ghanaian side registered the first goal with a powerful kick from the foot of Koku Kumodji, a Ghanaian midfielder, within the first five minutes of play.  A second goal was scored about 12 minutes before the second half, when Koku Kumodji increased the tally to 2 rendering the Nigerian side vulnerable.

When the second half of the game commenced, the Nigerian side immediately threatened to redeem their image. With a wonderful display of skill from the Nigerian side, Ayodeji Aderonmu registered their first goal in the 48^th minute after he dribbled through three defenders into the 18-yard box.

Ayodeji Aderonmu, the man of the game, created another opportunity as he was brought down near the eighteen yard box, earning the Nigerians a penalty kick. But to the dismay of Nigerian fans, the striker charged with taking the penalty kick, Zubair Abubakari, sent the chance over the bar.

The Ghanaians scored again when the kick from the boot of Kwabena Asante-Frimpong found the net, spurring a thunderous uproar from spectators. Shortly afterwards the Nigerians nearly increased the tally, but Tony Hananiya fumbled to deny his side the chance.

With long positional passes, the Nigerian team demonstrated a high level of skill and professionalism.  Suddenly, John Leigh, breathed life into his admirers when he gave a hot kick that found the net, leaving goal keeper, Felix Sintim, in open-mouth wonder.

The smiles on the faces of the fans of the Nigerians soon were chased away however when Kwabena Asante-Frimpong sent in a curling shot that deflected off the Nigerian wall and into the net.

As if they had the blessings of the gods and oracles of Labone, the Nigerian team increased their fortunes with a final goal just on the nick of time. The game ended 4-3 in favour of the Ghanaian team. The jubilant spectators and players alike wore hearty smiles on their faces all over the pitch.

The game was characterised by very impressive support from spectators as students from every year group thronged to the venue to cheer their players. Among the spectators were Mr. Daniel Torvinyo, an Ashesi University lecturer and other spectators from the surrounding community.

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