Ghana and Nigeria to Clash in Unity Match in Estonia

Ghana and Nigeria will meet again on Saturday for a friendly match. This time, the game will take place in Estonia, where members of the African community will gather for the African Unity Cup, Friendship Match in Tallinn.

The match is set for 3 p.m. at Sportland Arena, Jalgpalli 21, Tallinn. The goal is to promote unity, community involvement, and a positive image of Africa abroad.

African Expats MTÜ is organizing the event with help from the Association of Ghanaians in Estonia (AGIE) and support from Afro Empire.

Tamara Adu, the CEO of Afro Empire, shared her thoughts on why she supports this match. She said, "I decided to support this Ghana versus Nigeria friendly because it represents much more than football. It is about unity, identity, culture, and bringing our community together. As Africans living in the diaspora, events like this give us an opportunity to connect, celebrate our heritage, and create a stronger sense of belonging.

"And for the Black community in Estonia, I believe this is a powerful moment. It creates visibility, encourages unity, and shows that we can come together to build meaningful platforms for our people. Football may be the reason we gather, but the bigger purpose is community connection and empowerment."

Ms Adu also hopes that this event can happen every year and bring in more African communities in Estonia.

"I truly believe this can grow into a yearly event. My vision is for it to become bigger than just Ghana versus Nigeria, and eventually include other African communities in Estonia."

Benny Baiden, the president of AGIE, said the match is meant to strengthen ties between both communities, not to fuel their football rivalry.

"Nigeria is our brother any day, anytime. Even though our jollof rice is better, we just want to play and bond together as brothers that we are. This is not a competition, but the kind of friendly that we need here in Estonia," Mr Baiden said.

He added that Ghanaians are ready to show up in large numbers to celebrate with Nigerians.

Seun Agbabiaka, the Media Coordinator of the event from African Expats MTÜ, said this initiative is also about networking and breaking stereotypes about Africans in Estonia.

Mr Agbabiaka, who used to be a television editor in Nigeria, said football allows Africans to connect, especially those who might not meet otherwise. "The purpose is bigger than football. We want to promote unity among Africans in Estonia, fight stereotypes and show a positive image of Africa, and create networking. Many Nigerians and Ghanaians here don’t know each other. Football brings us together," he said.

He noted that Nigerian and Ghanaian players in the Estonian league show how football can bridge national differences.

"What makes this special is the Estonian league itself. At FC Levadia Tallinn, the current champions of the Estonian Premium Liiga who were recently eliminated from the Conference League by Swedish side IFK Göteborg, we have Nigerian players like Abraham Nwankwo and Victory Iboro Sunday playing side-by-side with Ghanaian winger Enock Otoo. In AFCON they are rivals, but in Estonia they wear the same jersey. That is the spirit we want to bring to Sportland Arena."

Mr Agbabiaka also reminded Nigerians in Estonia to act responsibly. He said their behavior can shape how others see the larger Nigerian community.

"Wherever we find ourselves, we carry Nigeria on our head. In a country like Estonia where we are few, what one Nigerian does, they say Nigerians did it. So we must be good ambassadors. Be disciplined, be punctual, respect the host country’s rules and play fair."

The organizers have booked the arena from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Vendors, cultural displays, music, and other community activities are planned around the match.

The event welcomes Africans and friends of Africa living in Estonia.