Taye Taiwo struck home in the 85th minute to hand Nigeria a hard fought 1-0 win over Ghana in the opening game of the African Cup of Nations Group D on Monday. The Marseille left-back blasted a fierce drive into the bottom right corner to give the Super Eagles their first 3 points of Group D. The West-African derby got off to a slow start as both sides struggled to find their pace. Taiwo had the first real chance for Nigeria when he fired a long range free-kick that was superbly denied by Ghana goalkeeper Sammy Adjei in the 25th minute. Ghana striker Mathew Amoah responded with a screaming drive four minutes later only to see his effort go inches wide.
Six minutes into the second-half Nigeria missed a chance to take the lead when Inter Milan striker Obafemi Martins evaded Adjei and hit the post from a tight angle. Ghana missed two golden chances to score the initiative. Stephen Appiah's 70th minute deflected effort fell to Laryea Kingston who astonishingly shot into the hands of Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama with the goal at his mercy. Less than a minute later Kingston sent a whipping cross to the unmarked Amoah who headed wide from point-blank range. Ghana were made to pay for their squandered chances when Taiwo took a quick free-kick and fired home through a forest of legs to snatch the win.
