Ghana 1-0 Nigeria: Young Black Stars 1 Step Away From History

Ghana 1-0 Nigeria
African Cup of Nations 2010 Semi Final
Goal: Asamoah Gyan 21′

This West African derby offered Nigeria a real chance to exact revenge for their 2-1 quarter final defeat against neighbours and rivals Ghana at AFCON 2008. But once again, the Super Eagles failed when it mattered. Before the game Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu spoke about the importance of the game to both nations and the sporting rivalry that has festered over a number of years, whilst also hinting at the winds of change after Nigeria’s poor performance against Zambia.

”Tradition has it that whenever Nigeria and Ghana are involved in any sporting challenge, not only football, you see the players going all out for victory,” Amodu said. “This will also be evident on Thursday. We did not play well against Zambia; the match against Ghana will be a different cup of tea.”

Promising words, but this Nigeria was the same lukewarm, tepid cup of tea it has been all competition.

Nigeria started the game with a pace and vigour that has been lacking in the majority of their play in Angola. Obafemi Martins was offered a starting berth in place of Yakubu, whose performances to that point had been lacklustre, and Nigeria went about frightening Ghana with aggressive forward play down both flanks. Martins’ early running (you might say he ran more in 10 minutes than Yakubu did in the whole tournament) caused Lee Addy and Isaac Vorsah problems and Nigerians had hope. Nigeria dominated the opening part of the game.

Nevertheless Ghana stayed firm and after 20 minutes they took the lead through a set piece. It was the old one-two again; Kwadwo Asamoah provided Asamoah Gyan, just like against Angola, and Gyan nodded home the corner for his 3rd goal of the tournament. 1-0 Ghana and Gyan pulled out a jazzy dance move he must have been saving for a special occasion.

Young and successful

No fewer than 8 of Ghana’s Under-20 World Cup winning squad are taking part in this year’s African Cup of Nations and coach Milovan Rajevac has had to make do without the likes of Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah. But say what you will about youth – these Ghanaians play with a maturity beyond their years. The key to Ghana’s victory here, as against Angola, was the solid foundations in defence. Ghana played with great tactical discipline. They sat deep and allowed Nigeria more possession of the ball, then relied on the pace and flair of Andre Ayew, Samuel Inkoom, Kwadwo Asamoah and Asamoah Gyan on the counter attack. It wasn’t the prettiest, but it worked.

Nigeria, despite seeing more of the ball than their rivals, played with all the creative inspiration of a temp worker at a jam factory. The star of the team in this tournament has undoubtedly been Lokomotiv Moscow forward Peter Odemwingie, but in Luanda even he was out of sorts, squandering a superb chance in the first half when a cross fell onto his head perfectly. He put it wide. Like the whole team, Odemwingie huffed and puffed and tried to make some magic. Eventually though he ran out of steam and Amodu replaced him late on. At Martins’ other side, Chinedu Obasi was quiet.

Nigeria’s best chance came in the 28th minute and it fell to Martins. Odemwingie hit a long range effort that fell perfectly to the feet of the VfL Wolfsburg striker on his right foot, unmarked. However, rather than shoot across the keeper he put his effort tamely into the arms of the impressive Richard Kingson. Kingson has been a rock for Ghana in goal all tournament. In hindsight, that was Nigeria’s most priceless opportunity.

Amodu out?

With a population of 155 million, Nigeria is not an easy country to manage. It is not easy to satisfy 155 million different opinions and it has been rumoured all tournament that failure to impress in Angola would cost Amodu his job. Unfortunately for him, Nigeria did not impress. Bar 30 minutes against Egypt and the 3-0 victory over Mozambique, Nigeria looked jaded and out of ideas. A solid defence carried them this far, but against an equally strong Ghanaian backline the Super Eagles could not prevail. We will wait patiently to see if Amodu will lead his team to South Africa 2010.

Meanwhile, for Ghana – unbridled joy. Asamoah Gyan fell to the floor in tears after the game. After all the criticism he had to take at the Cup of Nations 2008 in his homeland it is pleasing to see him heralded as the Black Stars’ hero. The Rennes striker scored the winner against Angola and now against fierce rivals Nigeria and deserves high praise for his selfless leading of the line – not to mention finishing.

Ghana now advance to Sunday’s final, their first since 1982. That year they beat Libya to register a 4th African Cup of Nations success. Can this young Black Stars side complete a magnificent double and make it cup number 5 in Luanda on Sunday? If they continue to play with the same organisation and fearlessness you wouldn’t bet against it.

African Cup of Nations 2010, African Football, Ghana, Nigeria