The stadium announcement after the first half said the battle had started and fans indeed braced themselves for the grueling second session as 10-man Ghana rode to victory over fiercest rivals, Nigeria in the quarter-finals clash of the African Cup of Nations.

Ghana are into the last four of the tournament after edging out Nigeria 2-1 at the Ohene Djan Stadium on Sunday in the first quarter-final match.

The result means Ghana earn a semi-final place against the winner of Tunisia-Cameroon game which comes off on Monday in Tamale.

The scoreline hints at a cagey duel but thrilling one and exactly, nobody was expecting a flamboyant performance for either side considering the rivalry that exist between both countries.

Asamoah Gyan saw a great strike at goal beat Nigerian goalkeeper, Austine Ejide but canon off the side post and that lifted the optimism of the home fans.

The Ohene Djan Stadium had high hopes then on with Ghana looking the better side until the Nigerians drew first blood.

Against the run of play, Ghana conceded a penalty in the 35th minute and Yakubu Ayegbini stepped to score the opener.

Nigeria appeared to be heading into recess with a goal up but the stadium was called up to their feet two minutes into stoppage time when Michael Essien leveled up for Ghana.

Essien was the first to react to across from Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and applied his head to the ball which went off the upright and rolled into the post leaving Austine Ejide completely dead.

The goal tied the game at 1-1 as both sides headed off the pitch at halftime.

The second session saw Nigeria kicking off and carrying the game to the Ghanaian half. The Super Eagles appeared to have lifted their game as compared to the first half.

Yakubu could have found the second goal for Nigeria but Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson who had come out to head the ball away only for the Everton striker to lob high parried the ball over the crossbar for a corner kick.

By the 60th minute, Ghana were reduced to ten after captain, John Mensah was shown the red card by referee Benouza Mohamed for tripping Peter Odemwingie.

Ghana quickly deployed Michael Essien to central defence as Claude Le Roy made his first substition of the game, taking off Asamoah Gyan for Laryea Kingston.

Ghana's second half revival

The Black Stars made their second change of the evening as Quincy Owusu Abeyie came off for Haminu Draman.

However, Nigeria playing at full strength looked the superior side as the Super Eagles often got off play quiclky trying to catch Ghana short.

Ghana came close to going ahead in the 78th minute but lots of legs in the Nigerian box kept out goalbound efforst from Haminu Draman, Sulley Muntari and Laryea Kingston
Agogo agonisingly saw his shot from inside the box fly way off in the 80th minute.

But two minutes later, he was on hand to redeem himself when he tapped in from a Sulley Muntari shot across goal. His celebration however earned his card after taking off his jersey.

From then on, it was a one-way street as Ghana piled on the pressure while the expectant home crowd rallied on the Black Stars, who were playing with ten men till the final whistle went for end of proceedings.


Starting line-up:

Richard Kingson, John Paintsil, Hans Adu Sarpei, Eric Addo, John Mensah, Michael Essien, Anthony Annan, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie/Haminu Draman, Sulley Muntari, Asamoah Gyan/Laryea Kingston and Junior Agogo.

Subs Used: Laryea Kingston and Haminu Draman

Unused Subs: Sammy Adjei, Nana Kwasi Asare, Harrison Afful, Alhassan Illiasu, Anthony Annan, Bernard Kumordzi, Andre Ayew, Laryea Kingston, Baffour Gyan, Kwadwo Asamoah and Fatau Duada.