Ghana’s Black Stars have settled into their training base in London as they gear up to face Nigeria in the semi-final of the Unity Cup.
The long-time West African rivals will clash on Wednesday, May 28, at the Gtech Community Stadium, home of Brentford FC. The tournament also includes Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
The team arrived in London on Sunday, May 25, and kicked off preparations with a series of training sessions scheduled before the midweek game. The match against Nigeria will decide who advances to the final on May 31, while the losing side will compete in the third-place match that same day.
The Unity Cup is not only a celebration of football but also a chance for national teams to test their strength ahead of major international fixtures. For Ghana, it provides an important tune-up before their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September.
As the squad gathered in camp, management confirmed a few early challenges. Injuries and club commitments have made it difficult to assemble a full-strength team. Some Europe-based players are involved in qualification matches with their clubs and could not be released, as the tournament falls outside the FIFA international calendar. Others remain tied to league games, especially those in title races or promotion battles.
In response, Ghana has brought in promising players from the local league. Goalkeeper Benjamin Asare from Hearts of Oak, defender Razak Simpson of Nations FC, and forward Kwame Opoku from Asante Kotoko were among the first to arrive. They flew into London on Friday night to join up with the squad and are expected to play important roles in the coming games.
Asare, who delivered strong performances in Ghana’s World Cup qualifier wins in March, could start in goal. Simpson has been solid at the back for Nations FC in the Ghana Premier League, and Opoku adds much-needed firepower up front. Their inclusion brings a boost to the squad, even though they missed club action over the weekend.
The Black Stars will hold three training sessions before taking on Nigeria. While selection has been complicated by player absences, the team is focused on delivering a strong performance and moving a step closer to lifting the Unity Cup. The match promises to bring another exciting chapter in the historic football rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria.