Black Stars book ticket to finals as the Super Eagles are brushed aside: Ghana 1-0 Nigeria African Cup of Nations Semifinals Match Report

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The Black Stars of Ghana slipped into the finals of the African Cup of Nations with a resolute performance against the Super Eagles of Nigeria today at the 11 de Novembro stadium.

A powerful header by Asamoah Gyan affectionately called Baby Jet in the 21 minute, was in enough to qualify the Stars.

Nigeria who were runners up in Group B, had qualified to this stage after beating Zambia in the quarterfinals on penalties. Ghana were also runners in their group, beat host nation Angola to set up a date with arch rivals Nigeria.

Apart from the inclusion of Anthony Anna for Haminu Draman, Ghana started the match with the same squad that played against Angola. Obafemi Martins also started for Nigeria rather than Yakubu Ayegbeni.

When the match began Nigeria looked the brighter of the two and looked the most likely to score. There were a few half chances that fell to Martins but the Ghana defense were able to tidy up early enough.

It was the Stars who took the lead in the 21st minute against the run of play, courtesy Gyan. He produced a fantastic header off a Kwadwo Asamoah outswinger corner kick to stun the Nigeria defense who were caught ball watching. Gyan crowed the goal with some out of the world dance celebration which can pass as the goal celebration of the tournament.

The Eagles had some great spells of dominace but failed to convert the chances that came their way. Both Martins and Odemwingie came close but shot stopper Richard Kingson who by far was my man-of-the-match dealt with their threats.

Back from the dressing room, the Nigerians continued their onslaught but lacked the cutting edge up front. The Ghana defense seem to have the answers to all the questioned asked and Kingson put in some brilliant goalkeeping displays.

Martins picked up a useful flick by Mikel Obi but Kingson jumped to save the ball. A few minutes later Martins was fed with another through ball but a joint defensive effort by Inkoomand Vorsah shielded him off.

The surprise introduction of Yakubu Ayegbeni for Odemwingie did not produce the desire magic.

The result booked Ghana a ticket to the finals their first since Senegal 1992. Surely the bookies did not see this coming.

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