An overstretched Ghana side lost 2-3 to Nigeria in the Group A opener of the Men’s Olympic Games played in Abuja on Sunday.

The Black Meteors played a greater part of the second half of the game with ten men after attacker Haminu Draman was shown the red card at a time when the scoreline stood at 2-2.

Under just three minutes of play, the Nigerians had jumped into the lead courtesy a goal by Obinna Nsofor.

But on the 5th minute mark, Prince Tagoe drew level for Ghana when he completed an assist from Haminu Draman.

Asamoah Gyan doubled the lead for Ghana to silence the partisan crowd when he scored from a beautiful freekick in the 19th minute.

The Nigerians fought back and equalised from Obinna Nsofor who scored from a spot kick in the 35th minute to send the game into recess 2-2.

Back from recess, Ghana’s team were reduced to ten men just eight minutes into the half when Haminu Draman was shown a straight red card.

Ghana never relented in their attack as they pushed for the lead and in one of such attacks, Prince Tagoe’s shot at goal bounced off the upright and the Nigerians reacted on the counter to score the third goal through Solomon Okoronko.

Black Meteors coach, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio effected three changes in the second half bringing on Sadat Bukari, Jonathan Quartey and Michael Akuffo for Asamoah Gyan, Isaac Vorsah and Alfred Arthur but Ghana could not pull an equaliser.

Ghana is paired with Nigeria, Ethiopia and South Africa in Abuja Group A with the qualifiers being played in a league format between June and March 2008.

Three group winners qualify for the final tournament at the Beijing Games.

Ghana line up: Eric Nii Baah, Daniel Addo, Alfred Arthur/Michael Akuffo, Isaac Vorsah/Jonathan Quartey, Bawa Mumuni, Haminu Dramani, Yao Kumordzi, Anthony Annan, Michael Helebege, Asamoah Gyan/Sadat Bukari and Prince Tagoe

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