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.

Can 2008 Update : Ghana vs. Nigeria

Only one of Ghana and Nigeria can progress to the semi-finals of this year's African Nations Cup.

Almost a year to the day, on a freezing night in the harrowing surroundings of Griffin Park, Brentford, you would have been forgiven for thinking you were in West Africa. At least that was the impression I got from the perplexed West London locals.


The occasion: An international friendly between Ghana and Nigeria.


The streets were coloured, the atmosphere was electric and to my personal delight Ghana triumphed 4-1 against the Super Eagles. In the game, every Ghanaian goal was greeted with a pitch invasion, and after the game Nigerian’s in and outside of the stadium were being abused in a good-natured way.


This Sunday, the occasion between these two rivals will dwarf the earlier friendly meeting, and fans are having sleepless nights just thinking about the consequences of defeat. This is without doubt the biggest rivalry in Africa, after the Ghanaians showed the Nigerians just how to play football.


The rivalry is not limited just to football, but to culture; economy; and social standing. It is a wonderful rivalry, with no elements of violence, but just a healthy distain and begrudging respect for each other. As a London-born Ghanaian I have been on the receiving end of abuse from my Nigerian compatriots and I have given it back.


A typical example of a day in the life of a Ghanaian - Nigerian fans rivalry would be a Ghanaian accusing Nigerians of coming to their country, stealing all the food, bringing their squad a fraudulent (admittedly world class) con-artist to rob people, while in their own country you will get shot for just minding your business! Nigerians will respond by saying Ghana is nothing without them, that they have no jobs in their own country so they come to Nigeria to live in a real thriving economy.


This massive game is just what this competition needs. I have watched from London with embarrassment and anger after each humiliation the competition has thrown. From the grass being the length of an abandoned public park; journalists being robbed and attacked; the abysmal floodlight failure; to the failure to reduce ticket prices for people who at the worst of times cannot afford to buy food!


It is amazing to think after four-plus years of planning; these incompetent dunderheads at CAF were unable to do things a six-year-old would have implemented!


Neither side has been convincing in the lead up to this game, but Ghana as winners of Group A are the favourites to end a 16-year wait for a competitive win against the Super Eagles (Man, I regret writing that!). Nigeria on the other hand has limped through to the quarter final, playing some of the worst football in the competition.


Berti Vogts and Claude Le Roy are fully aware that their jobs are on the line with a defeat, and the players’ houses and cars will also be under threat with a defeat.


On Sunday, Accra will be buzzing, just as London will be. At 5pm feeling a little bloated from the Joloff rice I will stuff in my face from 2pm, I will be jumping up and down like every Ghanaian. The consequences of defeat are unthinkable and with defeat, I will be in self imposed solitary confinement for around a month.

Overall, the two teams have met 59 times. Ghana lead with 24 wins to Nigeria’s 16, with the other 19 matches ending in draws.

Review written by A Ghanian's friend and I hope he eats his words