Ghana succumbs to Nigeria

The national Olympic soccer team, the Black Meteors suffered a 3:2 loss to their Nigerian counterparts in an Olympic Games qualifier at Abuja after taking a 2:1 lead.

The match played at the Abuja International Stadium was the opening game in Group B of the African qualifiers for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Nigeria scored first through Obina Nsorfor under three minutes, but Prince Tagoe levelled up for Ghana before the 8th minute while Asamoah Gyan put the Meteors up by the 19th minute.

Nsorfor was on hand again to score for Nigeria as he converted from the spot in the 35th minute to end the first half 2:2.

Disaster however struck the Meteors eight minutes into the second half when Dramani Hamidu was ejected from the game following a violent play.

Asamoah Gyan also picked the yellow card for dissent for the same incident, and form there on, the Ghanaians did more of defending than attacking, with goalkeeper Eric Nii Baah making spectacular saves.

Solomon Okoronko restored Nigeria's lead and eventual match winner in the 75th minute, and a late rally by the Ghanaians only ended up in near misses to the chagrin of head coach Jones Attuquayefio, who stood on his feet throughout the game marshalling his charges.

Meteors Line UP: Eric Nii Baah, Anthony Annan, Bawa Mumuni, Daniel Addo, Alfred Arthur, Isaac Vorsah, Michael Helegbe, Yaw Kumordji, Haminu Dramani, Asamoah Gyan/Sadat Bukari and Prince Tagoe.