Ghana knock out Nigeria
Michael Essien scored his second goal of the tournament
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Sunday, 03, Feb 2008 09:29
Ten-man Ghana have reached the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations after a 2-1 win over Nigeria.
The Super Eagles took the lead through a penalty from Everton striker Yakubu but Ghana hit back with Chelsea's Michael Essien heading in the equaliser.
Black Stars captain John Mensah was sent off on the hour mark but the hosts snatched victory on 82 minutes when Nottingham Forest striker Junior Agogo tapped in from close range.
In a scrappy first half, Bertie Vogts' side created the first chance on 11 minutes when Yakubu fired wide after being set up by winger Ikechukwu Uche.
Ghana's best chance early on fell to striker Asamoah Gyan who struck the post with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box.
Nigeria were awarded a penalty on 34 minutes when Yakubu was pulled down by Eric Addo, the ex-Portsmouth striker sent the keeper the wrong way with his spot-kick to make it 1-0.
Ghana grabbed an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when Owusu's cross was headed in off the post by midfielder Essien.
The second-half was a dramatic affair with the Black Stars bidding to beat Nigeria for the first time in the Cup of Nations since 1992.
Nigeria came agonisingly close to retaking the lead when Uche's ambitious lob from 40 yards was tipped over the crossbar by the back-pedalling Richard Kingston.
The 1996 Olympic champions appeared to be in the driving seat when Mensah was sent-off for tripping Osaze Odemwingie as he raced towards the penalty area.
But it was Ghana who dominated the latter stages with Agogo blazing over on the turn from Sulley Muntari's cross. The Forest striker sparked wild scenes in Accra minutes later when he turned in a cross from two yards out to clinch victory.