Nigeria’s 23-year record under threat as Ghana face England in Southampton

Asisat Oshoala Rasheedat Ajibade and other Super Falcons player. Copyright: Imago

Ghana’s Black Queens will step into uncharted territory this December when they take on England’s Lionesses in Southampton and Nigeria’s long-standing record will be on the line, Soccernet.ng reports.

The fixture at St Mary’s on 2 December will be the first ever meeting between Ghana and England at senior women’s level.

For the Lionesses, it will be their ninth encounter with African opposition, but only Nigeria have ever managed to beat them.

The Super Falcons stunned England twice in the early 2000s, winning 1-0 in July 2002 before following up with a 3-0 victory two years later.

In fact, across four meetings, Nigeria boast two wins, one draw, and only one defeat in regulation time. Their most recent clash came at the 2023 World Cup, where the Lionesses needed penalties to edge past Nigeria after a tense 0-0 draw in Brisbane.

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That proud Nigerian record has stood for 23 years. No other African side has come close. South Africa have tried three times, losing 6-0, 1-0, and 2-1, while Cameroon’s only shot ended in a 3-0 defeat at the 2019 World Cup.

Now, Ghana have the chance to change that narrative.

The Black Queens are coming off a semi-final run at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria clinched their record-extending 10th crown. Ghana are yet to lift the WAFCON title despite reaching the final a coupe of times. 

Ahead of WAFCON 2024, the Super Falcons defeated Ghana 3-1 in a friendly but the Black Queens will hope to produce an unforgettable performance when they square up against England.

Head coach Kim Lars Björkegren guided Ghana to a third-place finish at the 2024 WAFCON and will hope games against top teams like England will help elevate the quality of the Black Queens.

At the moment, Morocco and South Africa are rated as the top nations capable of challenging Nigeria’s long-standing dominance at the pinnacle of African women’s football.

England, the reigning European champions and World Cup finalists, will pose the sternest of challenges for the Black Queens.

Yet for Ghana, who have quietly rebuilt after years in Nigeria’s shadow, the motivation would be to topple one of the world’s best and match the Super Falcons’ feat.