Nigeria V Ghana African Nations Cup 2010

Nigeria Set to Meet Algeria after Losing 1-0 to Ghana in Semi Finals

After a first half goal from Ghana in the 21st minute of the game, Nigeria put up a spirited performance against the Black Stars of Ghana with periods of dominance throughout the game and made several attempts on the Ghanaian Goal however they unable to break through and Obafemi Martins was frustrated several times by the Ghana defence and solid performances from Goal Keeper Richard Kingson

Striker Asamoah Gyan scored with a darting run to fire in a near-post header to put the Black Stars ahead after losing his marker. The Nigeria team responded with good
passes and periods of solid pressure but were unable to convert their dominance into goals.

After scoring, Ghana put men behind the ball, spending much of the second half with their backs to the wall. soaking up copious amounts of pressure, from Nigeria, their organised defence made life extremely difficult for the Nigerians who were clearly lacking a cutting edge. with goalkeeper and captain Kingson on hand to make some key stops in both halves to deny Nigeria

Ghanaian centre-half Isaac Vorsah found himself head-to-head with his Hoffenheim team-mate Chinedu Obasi - and the Ghanaian will have bragging rights when they return to Germany.

Kingson's stand-out moment came as he made himself big to prevent Obafemi Martins from slotting home. Martins had latched on to a deftly chipped through-ball from John Obi Mikel - who had an otherwise uninspiring game, like many of his team-mates.

Martins' pace looked like it could cause trouble but with the Ghanaians defending deeply the Wolfsburg forward could not find sufficient space.On the couple of occasions he made his pace count - in the 70th and 77th minute - but was too near the goalline, and too hurried on the ball by the Ghanaian defence, to craft a realistic goal-scoring opportunity.

The withdrawal of Osaze Odemwingie 20 minutes from time came as something of surprise, with the Lokomotiv Moscow striker being one of Super Eagles' few genuine threats his replacement, Yakubu, almost made an immediate impact and perhaps should have scored when he connected with a drilled ball across the penalty area in the 76th minute.

Nigeria now have to settle for an attempt at third place on Saturday against Algeria.

Ghana: Kingson, Inkoom, Vorsah, Addy, Sarpei (Rahim Ayew 53), Andre Ayew, Agyemang-Badu, Annan, Asamoah, Gyan (Amoah 84), Opoku (Draman 35).

Subs Not Used: McCarthy, Osei, Mensah, Essien, Narry, Addo, Adiyah, Afful, Adjei.

Booked: Draman, Annan, Inkoom, Kingson.

Goals: Gyan 21.

Nigeria: Enyeama, Mohammed (Odiah 80), Nwaneri, Shittu, Echiejile, Kaita, Mikel, Yussuf (Obinna 67), Odemwingie (Yakubu 70), Martins, Obasi.

Subs Not Used: Ejide, Yobo, Taiwo, Kanu, Olofinjana, Uche, Etuhu, Apam, Aiyenugbu.

Booked: Yussuf.

Ref: Daniel Bennet (South Africa).


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