The host nation Ghana progress to the Africa Cup of Nations semi finals after beating their bitter west coast rivals Nigeria in a bruising encounter.
Nigeria took the lead in the first half when Everton’s Yakubu was brought down inside the penalty area and slotted home the penalty with a cool finish. But deep into added time at the end of the first half, Michael Essien equalises with a great header.
The second half was as frantic and exciting as the first, with both Ghana and Nigeria having chances to take the lead. At one point the Ghana goalkeeper Kingston came rushing out of his area to clear the danger by heading the ball clear. But it dropped straight to Yakubu who without delay lobbed the ball straight back over Kingston’s head from about 45 yards out. The Ghana goalkeeper sprinted back to his goal and just managed to push the ball over the bar.
Michael Essien took over the captaincy when John Mensah was sent off for a cynical professional foul, kicking the heels of Odemwingie as the Nigerian rushed towards the penalty box.
Ghana was down to ten men but it didn’t show. Chelsea’s Michael Essien and Portsmouth’s Sulley Muntari was winning the midfield battle for Ghana as Nigeria and Chelsea’s Jon Obi Mikel didn’t have much influence on the game at all.
Ghana finished the stronger and won the game with a late winner by Nottingham Forest’s Junior Agogo.
Ghana will now face either Cameroon or Tunisia back in Accra on Thursday.
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