Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has congratulated Ghana for qualifying at the expense of his country for the finals of the ongoing Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in South Africa.

Ghana advanced to the next stage on Wednesday after beating Nigeria by four goals to one during a penalty shoot-out in their semi-final game.

In an interaction with Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur on the sidelines of the 22nd Ordinary Session of the African Union in Addis Ababa, President Jonathan said he cannot help but congratulate the Ghanaian team for their victory.

VP Amissah- Arthur in a hearty manner ‘consoled’ the Nigerian President for their loss.  

Mr. Jonathan remarked that matches between the two neighbouring countries have been unpredictable, admitting that he felt uncomfortable when it emerged that the two sides will meet in the semi-finals.

The 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union opened Thursday morning. At the beginning of the session, Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and his colleague from Madagascar Hery Rajaonarimampianina who were attending the Summit for the first time were introduced.

The heads of state have also adopted a motion by Algeria proposing the naming of the Plenary Hall after the former South African President, Nelson Mandela.

Two scientists from Nigeria and Burkina Faso were also presented with the 2014 Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards during the opening ceremony. Each received an amount of one hundred thousand dollars.

Accompanying the Vice President to the summit are the Foreign Minister Hanna S. Tetteh and the Greater Accra Regional Minster, Julius Debrah.

First Lady Mrs. Lordina Mahama is also in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, attending the summit of the Organization of the African First Ladies Against HIV & AIDS (OAFLA). She is the Vice President of OAFLA in charge of the West African subregion.