10-man Ghana through with late winner

Sunday, 03 February 08, 03:06 PM · Comments(0)

Ghana has overcome the sending-off of captain John Mensah to defeat Nigeria 2-1 and book a place in the African Cup of Nations semi-finals.

The Black Stars came back from a goal down as well as a man down to see off its arch rival.

A goal with eight minutes remaining from Junior Agogo gave Ghana victory after the scores were level 1-1 at half time.

Ghana played the last half-hour of the match with 10 men after captain Mensah was issued a straight red card by referee Benouza Mohamed for a challenge on Peter Odemwingie as the last man.

But Ghana had already been outplaying Nigeria before Mensah’s dismissal and after weathering a period of pressure, pressed on to find a winner.

Substitute Haminu Draman beat Obinna Nwaneri on the left flank in a one-on-one to put Sulley Ali Muntari into space on the edge of the area.

Muntari then fired a cross through the six-yard box to an unmarked Agogo at the back post for a tap-in finish.

Nigeria had opened the scoring against the run of play in the first half when Eric Addo bought down Ikechukwu Uche to concede a penalty.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored low to the left to give Nigeria a 35th minute lead.

But a Michael Essien header on the stroke of half-time sent Ghana in on level terms. Nigeria’s best chance to re-take the lead in the second half came from the free kick conceded by Mensah’s sending-off.

Goalkeeper Richard Kingson acrobatically saved from Taiwo Taye to keep the scores 1-1.

Despite having a man advantage, Nigeria was unable to make it count after falling behind.

The Super Eagles had half-chances in the final stages but failed to force Kingson into a save.

Ghana now progresses to the semi-final while Nigeria is out.

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