Ghanaians took to social media to light-heartedly mock their Nigerian counterparts following the Super Eagles’ loss to Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
Leveraging Nigeria’s failure to clinch their fourth AFCON title, Ghanaians revived the banter between the two West African nations, touching on topics ranging from football to electricity and culinary skills.
In the thrilling encounter at the Lassane Ouatarra Stadium on Sunday, Nigeria’s captain, William Troost-Ekong, initially led his team with a powerful header to secure an early lead.
However, Ivory Coast rallied in the second half, with Frank Yannick Kessie and Sebastien Haller scoring to secure a 2-1 victory.
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Despite Ghana’s own team, the Black Stars, not advancing past the group stage in the same tournament, Ghanaians embraced the opportunity to revel in Nigeria’s defeat.
Quick to capitalise on the moment, they playfully teased Nigerians on social media platforms. The familiar banter touched on Nigeria’s electricity challenges, with tweets humourously stating, “No electricity, no trophy.”
The ongoing debate over who makes the best jollof rice was also revisited with Ghanaians claiming superiority in that aspect as well.
Kudus had more goals than Osimhen at the Afcon. Kudus played 2 games pic.twitter.com/KaRhzZTovC
— KALYJAY (@gyaigyimii) February 11, 2024
The Eagle 🦅 is in the mud 😂😂🇳🇬#TV3GH #AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/O1s3JO2sDR
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) February 11, 2024
Our last AFCON win was in 82. You’ve been to 100 semi finals since and 40 years later, we still have more AFCONs than you. African Spurs https://t.co/Lx10Cja0vg
— The Green Turf (@eliavot_) February 11, 2024
FIFA President When Ahmed Musa tried to join the Ivorians to lift the trophy pic.twitter.com/IjpAA3L8Th
— KALYJAY (@gyaigyimii) February 11, 2024
Tinubu has a message for Nigerians pic.twitter.com/QIDRqZ9rzw
— Don (@Opresii) February 11, 2024
They scored first too pic.twitter.com/2vCUWMiLXU
— Ernest Coleman (@cole__xy) February 11, 2024
It’s our turn 🇬🇭😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/bTqai5oinz pic.twitter.com/TI11q0YoGJ
— Prince Gyasi (@PrinceGyasi) February 11, 2024
You no get electricity how you want take see trophy
— Seyram (@__theSeyram) February 11, 2024
No Better President
No Access to Basic needs
No Electricity
No Afcon
It’s sad to be a Nigerian— Dr Sneaker Nyame (@SneakerNyame_) February 11, 2024
No Grammy
No AFCON
No Amapiano
No ElectricityJust Tears And Jollof For Nigerians#AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/sdthIBbCHZ
— NOT Chippa🇿🇦🇨🇮 (@_Stevovo) February 12, 2024
The banter extended to various aspects of rivalry, including music, politics, and cooking.
Blaqbonez called me on facetime to laugh at me when my country’s Black Stars was sent home, the guy couldn’t stop smiling. Odumodu was on Facetime the next 3 days telling the Jeweller to make me the cheapest piece he’s ever made, And na me call am for the Jeweller o! You want me…
— BLACKO (@blacksherif_) February 12, 2024
Nigerians coming online to see Ghanaians: pic.twitter.com/nDOfIoKDHm
— Ernest Coleman (@cole__xy) February 11, 2024
Nigerian celebrities, including footballer Victor Boniface and Super Falcons star Assisat Oshoala, good-naturedly acknowledged the banter, adding to the friendly exchange between the two nations.
Na so I dey hide from my Ghana brothers ooo pic.twitter.com/9cpetyk5jw
— Victor Boniface (@boniface_jrn) February 11, 2024
Thank you X
Finally deleting my acct
❤️— Victor Boniface (@boniface_jrn) February 11, 2024
Na cup we lose , no be our lives …Alhamdulilah 😤 #AFCON2023
— ASISAT M.O.N (@AsisatOshoala) February 11, 2024
By the time dem cook me finish ehn , my skin go turn yellow 😩😩😩 Eiiiiii God 😤😤😤 #AFCON2023
— ASISAT M.O.N (@AsisatOshoala) February 11, 2024
This playful banter has become a tradition, with each side taking turns to celebrate the other’s failure in the spirit of camaraderie between the neighbouring countries.
As a Senegalese🇸🇳 I want to ask. How did the vibe between Ghana & Nigeria start🇬🇭 🇳🇬. U make us and other countries jealous of the bond. You guys makes it look like African is made up of only Ghana and Nigeria. Why?
— Ortega_Mainᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠ (@bontiyaka) February 9, 2024
By Frank Appiah