A late strike by Junior Agogo earned 10-man Ghana a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Nigeria on Sunday as the hosts earned a place in the African Cup of Nations semi-finals. Nigeria striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni put his side ahead from the spot in the first-half before Michael Essien grabbed the equalizer just before the break. Despite playing with 10 men for most of the second period after John Mensah received his marching orders, Ghana managed to break Nigeria hearts eight minutes from time. Nottingham Forest striker Agogo slotted home at the far post to send the home fans into ecstasy. Ghana will play either Tunisia or Cameroon, who face each other on Monday, for a place in the competition's final. The Black Stars dominated possession early in the game, but it was Nigeria who had the first chance of the game. Yakubu received Ike Uche's short pass on the edge of the area with his back to goal before turning and hitting a low shot that went just wide. Ghana almost went ahead in the 25th minute when Asamoah Gyan out-paced and out-muscled his marker before firing a powerful right-footed drive that struck the outside of the post. Ghana's attempts were hindered by some sloppy defending from their backline, which could have cost them in the 31st minute. Yakubu found the unmarked Uche inside the area but the Getafe forward's weak shot went straight into the keeper's hands.
Nigeria were awarded a penalty three minutes later in bizarre circumstances. Yakubu was tugged inside the area but the referee did not take any decision. The official pointed to the spot few moments later when Uche went down, although there was no contact between him and any opponent. Everton frontman Yakubu stepped-up and successfully converted the ball into the bottom corner despite Richard Kingson's desperate attempt to block it. Essien drew Ghana level in the first-half's additional time when he rose to powerfully head Quincy Owusu-Abeyie's left-wing cross into the back of the net. Kingson almost gifted Nigeria the lead three minutes after restart after he needlessly rushed out to clear a long ball. His headed clearance fell to Yakubu, who tried to lob into an empty net from 45 yards but his effort went just over the bar. Ghana hopes received a massive blow when Mensah was red-carded in the 59th minute for bringing down Peter Odemwingie while the Lyon forward was going clear on goal. However, they succeeded in sealing a hard-fought win in the 82nd minute. Substitute Haminu Draman fed Sulley Muntari inside the area before the Udinese winger provided a low cross at the far post to the unmarked Agogo, who fired home.
