Under-fire Nigerian coach, Berti Vogts says his team faced a much better team in Ghana as the Super Eagles ended their African Cup of Nations campaign with defeat on Sunday.

Nigeria saw Ghana’s Michael Essien cancel out their 35th minute goal from a spot kick before Junior Agogo bundled in the match winner in the 82nd minute to send the hosts through to the semi-finals.

The elimination was the first time in five Nations Cup tournaments that Nigeria have failed to reach the last four. But coach Berti Vogts says his team could go home with their heads held high.

"I'm very disappointed, we paid dear for our mistakes," said the German.

"But I have a young team. They're not so experienced as Ghana who were in the last World Cup. We played against a very, very strong team and they are the host team.

"My boys gave 100 percent today.

"We lose together, we win together," Vogts said.

Nigerian striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni has attributed his side’s loss to several blunders committed.

“We showed character and played very well. But some few mistakes cost us.”