Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan scored to secure a 1-0 win over Nigeria to reach its first African Cup of Nations final in 18 years Thursday.

Gyan broke the deadlock in the 21st minute against the run of the play with a header at the near post from Kwadwo Asamoah’s corner to send the Black Stars into the biennial tournament’s final for the first time since 1992.

Gyan also scored the winner in Ghana’s 1-0 win over Angola in the quarterfinals.

World Cup qualifier Ghana will next face the winner between Algeria and Egypt, who played later Thursday in the other semifinal.

Nigeria dominated from the start and created a number of good chances but was unable to break down Ghana’s rock-solid defense.

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac made one change from the team that beat host Angola in the quarterfinals, bringing in Anthony Annan for Haminu Draman after the midfielder recovered from a thigh injury.

Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins, who replaced Yakubu Ayegbeni in the starting lineup, had a good chance in the opening minute when he was set up in the box by Peter Odemwingie but failed to reach the ball.

Ghana forward Andre Ayew then went close when he backheeled Lee Addy’s cross wide in the 9th minute before Gyan gave his side the lead.

Nigeria should have equalized five minutes later after Martins connected with Odemwingie’s shot in the box only to see his effort well saved by Richard Kingson.

Nigeria had a strong start to the second half and an Odemwingi cross caused confusion in the Ghana box with Kingson forced to make a diving save after a misdirected pass by his own defender.

Following a quick run down the right, Chinedu Obasi then unleashed a powerful shot from a tight angle that hit the side netting in the 49th.

Nigeria kept the pressure on, but was again denied by Kingson when the Ghana keeper saved from Martins after he had been put through with a perfect chipped pass over the defense from John Obi Mikel in the 59th.

Trying to beef up his attack, under-fire Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu brought Yakubu on for Odemwingie with 20 minutes left. The Everton striker immediately looked a threat but volleyed over the bar from Echiejile’s cross following a swift Nigerian move on the left.

Nigeria, who last reached the tournament final in 2000, continued to creating half chances until the end but couldn’t breach Ghana’s defense.

AP

Tags: Angola, cup of african nations 2010, football, ghana nigeria, soccer