As Egypt crush Algeria in North Africa contest

CAN semi-finals

Ghana 1-0 Nigeria
Egypt 4-0 Algeria

GHANA is into the Orange Africa Cup of Nations final for the first time in 18 years after last night’s 1-0 defeat of Nigeria at the 11 November Stadium in Luanda.

In form striker Asamoah Gyan got the priceless first half goal to claim the honours as Ghana moved to within one win of a fifth continental crown.

"It’s unbelievable,” said Gyan. "We are a young team and not many people gave us a chance of making the final.”
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevic added: "I told my boys we were not going to play beautiful football today; we were going to play for a result.

"Nigeria had a few good chances but my team are very young and sometimes due to inexperience it led them (Nigeria) to create chances.”

Under-fire Nigeria Coach Shaibu Amodu was asked at the post-match press conference if he was going to stand down.

He replied: "My contract is until August. If I’m still in charge up to the World Cup, I will look at our deficiencies in this competition and look at areas of reinforcement.

Ghana made one change from the side that knocked out hosts Angola in the quarterfinals, with Haminu Draman making way for the fit again midfielder Anthony Annan taking to the field for the first time in Angola.

Amodu made two further alterations, Obafemi Martins coming in for Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni, and Ayila Yussuf in for Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu.

The Black Stars’ opponents in Sunday’s 2010 climax are Egypt, who saw off Algeria in the other day’s semi-final.

The Pharoahs won 4-0 and remain on course for an unprecedented third successive Nations Cup title.

Ends