Ten-Man Ghana Seal Historic Nigeria Win

Ghana 2 - 1 Nigeria

In what had already been billed as the match of the tournament, the cards and goals flowed freely. In the end, Ghana prevailed past Nigeria 2-1 in what was an incredibly exciting encounter...

Clearly this was to be a heated derby, as Muntari found himself on the end of a foul from Obinna Nwaneri just after kickoff, resulting in a small amount of "handbags."

But while it was physical, it wasn't gung-ho, at least to start with. Indeed, with so much at stake, neither side was apt to take undue risks.

It took a quarter of an hour for the first real chance to emerge, with Muntari playing a fine ball across goal, only for Yobo to clear it.

Ten minutes later, though, it all kicked off.

After some fine play, Michael Essien hit the post oon the 25 minut emark after a tremendous give-and-go with Asamoah Gyan.

Then, Junior Agogo had a great chance just a minute later as Ghana turned the screw. He, however, could only see his effort tipped wide by Ejide.

It was quite a strong spell for Ghana, but Nigeria showed that they are no makeweights by hitting back. Yakubu almost managed to go one on one with Kingson, before he turned provider by slipping a through ball to Getafe's Ikechukwu Uche. Despite the latter's great run, the finish was poor, and it stayed 0-0.

At least for a minute, for no sooner had that chance ben mupped up than Addo conceded a penalty, apparently for shirt pulling against Yakubu. The Everton man himself stepped up and duly netted it, and suddenly Ghana ere in trouble.

Indeed, Nigeria looked the stronger side going into half time, with Uche and Yakubu linking up well, but Ghana's undoubted class shone through right on the stroke of half time.

That's when Michael Essien grabbed an equaliser. The Chelsea man both placed and powered a header after Owusu-Abeyie's cross to level the scores.

Right after the break, Obi Mikel attempted to show his teammate how it was done, almost capitalising on Uche's through ball - and some poor defending - only for Kingson to smother the ball at the last second.

That error reminded both teams that risks were inappropriate, and the game slowed down - at least until the hour mark.

For Ghana were down to ten men just then, John Mensah preventing a clear goalscoring opportunity by fouling Odemwingie just outside the box.

Taye Taiwo came inches away from opening the scoring from the ensuing free-kick, with Kingson's last-gasp save keeping his side in it.

His near-namesake Laryea Kingson joined the fray in place of Asamoah, dropping back to midfield and in turn allowing Essien to take a place in defence.

Strangely enough, that seemed to lend a bit more shape to the Ghanaians, and certainly more steel. Spurred on by Michael Essien's encouragement, they closed down the Nigerians with gusto, albeit sometimes a bit too much.

For things were beginning to get a bit heated - admittedly, for both sides. In one incident fifteen minutes from time, Obi Mikel picked up a booking after hacking down Annan, only for Annan to raise his hands to the Chelsea star.

In terms of play, though, Ghana had one great chance through Agogo ten minutes from time, only for the Nottingham Forest man to fluff his finish at the last second.

That made it all the more surprising when he was the man to give his side a lead seven minutes from the end. Muntari's low cross found the predatory forward lingering at the far post, and Agogo was so delighted with his close-range effort that his overcelebration was deemed worthy of a booking.

On came Nsofor for Obi Mikel as Nigeria boss Berti Vogts rolled the dice, and Nigeria poured forward. Shittu did well to float a cross in two minutes from time, only for Muntari, dropping back to defend, to head clear.

But other than a couple more half-chances from corners, the wealth of Nigerian bodies pressing forward could provide little - indeed, Nigeria needed Ghana to give them one last hope by conceding a free-kick 25 yards out two minutes into stoppage time.

The ball eventually reached Yobo in the box, but his finish was lacking, and the match ended with the hosts in a state of ecstacy.