HOW NIGERIA MEDIA, OTHERS REPORTED STARS-EAGLES DUEL

10-MAN GHANA SEALS HISTORIC
WIN AGAINST 'SUPER CHICKENS'
(Guardian of Nigeria)

THE Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles, recently rechristened the "Super Chickens", because of a poor run in the on-going MTN Nations Cup ended their hope yesterday of a qualification for a semi-final berth as they were beaten 2-1 by 10-man Ghanaian team at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra, Ghana.
The Eagles started the campaign on a poor note losing their first game to Cote d'Ivoire. They drew against Mali, and struggled to beat minnow Benin Republic 2-0. The Eagles have never had it this bad. They had to rely on the Ivoiriens to beat Mali before they could qualify for the quarter-finals.
Going by the rivalry between the Eagles and the Black Stars, the match was expected to be a heated West African derby, and it started that way as Muntari found himself on the end of a foul from Obinna Nwaneri just after kickoff, resulting in a small amount of "handbags."
But while it was physical, it wasn't gung-ho, at least to start with. Indeed, with so much at stake, neither side was apt to take undue risks.
It took a quarter of an hour for the first real chance to emerge, with Muntari playing a fine ball across goal, only for Yobo to clear it. 10 minutes later, though, it all kicked off.
After some fine play, Michael Essien hit the post on the 25-minute mark after a tremendous give-and-go with Asamoah Gyan.
Then, Junior Agogo had a great chance just a minute later as Ghana turned the screw. He, however, could only see his effort tipped wide by Ejide.
It was quite a strong spell for Ghana, but Nigeria showed that they are no makeweights by hitting back. Yakubu almost managed to go one on one with Kingston, before he turned provider by slipping a through ball to Getafe's Ikechukwu Uche. Despite the latter's great run, the finish was poor, and it stayed 0-0.
At least for a minute, for no sooner had that chance been mopped up than Addo conceded a penalty, apparently for shirt pulling against Yakubu. The Everton man himself stepped up and duly netted it, and suddenly Ghana are in trouble.
Indeed, Nigeria looked the stronger side going into half time, with Uche and Yakubu linking up well, but Ghana's undoubted class shone through right on the stroke of half time.
That's when Michael Essien grabbed an equaliser. The Chelsea man both placed and powered a header after Owusu-Abeyie's cross to level the scores.
Right after the break, Obi Mikel attempted to show his teammate how it was done, almost capitalising on Uche's through ball - and some poor defending - only for Kingston to smother the ball at the last second.
That error reminded both teams that risks were inappropriate, and the game slowed down - at least until the hour mark.
For Ghana was down to 10 men just then, John Mensah preventing a clear goalscoring opportunity by fouling Odemwingie just outside the box.
Taye Taiwo came inches away from opening the scoring from the ensuing free-kick, with Kingston's last-gasp save keeping his side in it.
His near-namesake Laryea Kingston joined the fray in place of Asamoah, dropping back to midfield and in turn allowing Essien to take a place in defence.
Strangely enough, that seemed to lend a bit more shape to the Ghanaians, and certainly more steel. Spurred on by Essien's encouragement, they closed down the Nigerians with gusto, albeit sometimes a bit too much.
For things were beginning to get a bit heated - admittedly, for both sides. In one incident 15 minutes from time, Obi Mikel picked up a booking after hacking down Annan, only for Annan to raise his hands to the Chelsea star.
In terms of play, though, Ghana had one great chance through Agogo 10 minutes from time, only for the Nottingham Forest man to fluff his finish at the last second.
That made it all the more surprising when he was the man to give his side a lead seven minutes from the end. Muntari's low cross found the predatory forward lingering at the far post, and Agogo was so delighted with his close-range effort that his overcelebration was deemed worthy of a booking.
On came Nsofor for Mikel as Nigeria's boss, Berti Vogts, rolled the dice, and Nigeria poured forward. Shittu did well to float a cross in two minutes from time, only for Muntari, dropping back to defend, to head clear.
But other than a couple more half-chances from corners, the wealth of Nigerian bodies pressing forward could provide little - indeed, Nigeria needed Ghana to give them one last hope by conceding a free-kick 25 yards out two minutes into stoppage time.
The ball eventually reached Yobo in the box, but his finish was lacking, and the match ended with the hosts in a state of ecstasy.

EAGLES CRASH OUT
(Daily Champion of Nigeria)

IT was the end of the road for the Super Eagles in the 2008 Nations Cup as they lost 1-2 to hosts, Black Stars of Ghana in a quarterfinal match yesterday at the Accra Stadium, Ghana.
The rivalry between the two teams was on display throughout the pulsating encounter.
The Black Stars dominated play for the earlier part of the game, pushing the Eagles into defensive as they searched for the leader. However, Nigeria’s defence reacted effectively to their offensive as Danny Shittu and Yobo Joseph kept the rampaging Stars at bay.
A combination of Osaze Odenwingie and Ikechukwu Uche in the wings propelled Nigeria’s attack creating anxious moments in Ghana’s goal area, but lack of fire power saved the Stars from conceding early goals.
Nigeria got the leader in the 34th minute from a spot kick when Yakubu Aiyegbeni was hacked down in the box. Aiyegbeni neatly tucked the ball into far right of the net to send Nigerian fans to a frenzy celebration.
Like wounded Lions, Black Stars fought back, but Eagles rose to the challenge once again with Mikel Obi holding firm in the midfield.
As the time ticks away to the end of the first half, Ghana intensified their search for equaliser forcing the Eagles to a frantic defensive play. But Michael Essien gave Ghana a big relief with a dramatic header that deceptively hit the upright and rolled into Niegria’s net at the nick of 45th minute.
Ghana resumed the second half with an aggressive approach which resulted into some physical play which earned John Mensah a red card.
The Black Stars came from behind to earn a semi-final place with victory over Nigeria in a game full of drama.
Ghana were down for the first time in the tournament, and faced a huge test of character.
The ball went in off the left post, and trickled along the goal line before going in.
The atmosphere at half-time was astonishing, with Ghana fans celebrating as if they had won the Nations Cup itself.
But Ghana remained in the ascendancy overall, with the crowd roaring on their every move.


GHANA SEND NIGERIA
OUT OF CUP OF NATIONS
(Daily Sun of Nigeria)

A 10-MAN Black Stars of Ghana came from behind to claim victory over Nigeria in a game full of drama and tension.
Nigeria took the lead on 34 minutes through a Yakubu Aiyegbeni penalty, but Michael Essien's glancing header put the Black Stars level on the stroke of half-time.
Ghana were reduced to 10 men on the hour, as captain John Mensah was sent off for a professional foul.
With eight minutes remaining, Junior Agogo put Ghana into the semi-finals with a close-range finish.
Ghana had the upper hand for most of the first half, which was a scrappy, physical affair.
The first clear chance fell to Nigeria on 11 minutes, when winger Ikechukwu Uche went on a bustling run and set-up Yakubu, who fired wide.
Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo almost put the ball in his own net three minutes later, as he cut out a Sulley Muntari cross.
Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan hit the post with a left-footer on 25 minutes, and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie's lively play persistently troubled Nigeria.
The Black Stars were still on top when they conceded the penalty, when Eric Addo pulled Yakubu down.
The Everton striker stroked the spot-kick into the bottom-left corner, with Richard Kingson going the right way.
Ghana were down for the first time in the tournament, and faced a huge test of character.
The equaliser came with the last move of the first period, when Owusu's cross was met with a glancing header by Essien.
The ball went in off the left post, and wobbled along the goal line before going in.
The atmosphere at half-time was astonishing, with Ghana fans celebrating as if they had won the Nations Cup itself.
Nigeria came very close three minutes after the break, a 40-yard lob by Uche was pushed over the bar by a back-pedalling Kingson.
But Ghana remained in the ascendancy overall, with the crowd roaring on their every move.
The drama heightened when Mensah was sent off in the 60th minute for clipping down Osaze Odemwingie as he raced towards the penalty area.
Three Nigeria efforts were stopped from the resulting free-kick, but the Super Eagles failed to capitalise on their numerical advantages.
Ghana resisted the temptation to play for extra time and penalties, and the winner came on 82 minutes.
Muntari crossed inside the box to the unmarked Agogo, who finished from four yards out.
Nigeria were unable to respond, and Ghana beat them for only the second time at the Nations Cup, in what was a memorable match.


DOWN, OUT — 10-MAN
GHANA HUMBLE NIGERIA
(Tibune of Nigeria)

FOR the second time within 12 months, Frenchman, Claude LeRoy led the Black Stars of Ghana to beat the Super Eagles, sending the Nigerian side out of the ongoing Ghana 2008 Nations Cup.
The Stars came from behind to beat the Eagles 2-1 in the tension-soaked match in which the Ghanaian team played one man short for more than 32 minutes after captain, John Mensah, got the Algerian referee’s marching order for a professional foul on Osaze Odemwingie.
The Eagles took the lead on 34 minutes through a penalty scored by Yakubu Aiyegbeni after he was pulled down by Eric Addo, but Michael Essien equalised on the dot of 45 minute.
With eight minutes to the end of the game, Junior Agogo put Ghana into the semi-finals with a close-range finish. LeRoy had last February led the Ghanaian side to drub the Eagles 4-1 in an international friendly played at Brentford Stadium in London.
The Frenchman, who beat Nigeria with Cameroun in the final of Maroc ’88, said after the match that his side had the quality which it put into use against Nigeria.
“There’s great team spirit in my side, and I believe they used the quality to go all the way against the Super Eagles,” LeRoy told journalists after the match.


THRILLING WIN PUTS
GHANA IN SEMIS
(Business Day of Nigeria)

GHANA had one man sent off but still moved a step closer to a record-equalling fifth African Nations Cup title with a thrilling 2-1 quarter final success over Nigeria in Accra last night.
Yakubu Ayegbeni put Nigeria into the lead with a penalty only for Michael Essien to level just before the interval.
Ghana captain John Mensah was sent off in the second half but this did not stop the hosts as Nottingham Forest’s Junior Agogo produced the late winner.
“I’m so proud to be the Ghana coach, congratulations to them all,” the team’s French coach Claude le Roy said. But he questioned the referee’s decision in sending off Mensah.
Nigeria coach Berti Vogts said his team could go home with their heads held high.
Ghana’s President, John Kufuor, was part of the raucous 45,000 capacity crowd as Nigeria’s Taye Taiwo picked up the first booking for dissent, with team-mate Obinna Nwaneri the next to catch Algerian referee Mohamed Benouza’s eye when hacking down Hans Sarpei. Ghana defender John Paintsil was instrumental in Nigeria taking the lead against the run of play when he fouled Uche in the 33rd minute.
Benouza pointed to the spot and Ayegbeni stepped up to fire low and left past Birmingham City keeper Richard Kingston.
This was the first time in the tournament that Ghana had fallen behind but it did not take them long to restore parity, with Essien heading home Muntari’s teaser in first-half injury time.
On the hour Ghana suffered a huge setback with Mensah sent off for a professional foul: clipping the heels of Lokomotiv Moscow striker Peter Odemwingie. Le Roy then shuffled his pack, replacing the subdued attacker Gyan with Kingston in midfield.
Agogo got his just reward for some spirited charges at the Nigerian defence when he bagged Ghana’s winner, firing home Muntari’s low cross.

VOGTS DEPLUMES
SUPER EAGLES
(Guardian of London)

BERTI Vogts came close to concocting a winning formula and Nigeria came close to pooping their biggest rivals' party. But, in the end, Vogts's plan unravelled just as it seemed certain to succeed and the Super Eagles fly home knowing they could have evicted their hosts.
Vogts began with a 4-3-2-1 formation that blunted the Black Stars. The midfield trio marshalled by Obi John Mikel left Michael Essien and Anthony Annan chasing air. Further forward, the zest and dazzle of Ikechukwu Uche and, in particular, Peter Odemwingie tormented a Ghanaian defence made to seem stodgy and Ayegbeni Yakubu offered a powerful and intelligent pivot.
With their defence comfortably containing the maladroit Junior Agogo and Asamoah Gyan, the Super Eagles were superior in every sector of the game, by far the more fluid side. The absence of Stephen Appiah was achingly apparent and Ghana's only real threat in the early stages was Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, whose jinks and jiggles befuddled the full-backs - but too frequently his team-mates found his passing just as difficult to read.
Essien was having a stinker. When he could get on the ball his touch was treacherous and his distribution wayward. In what looked like being a reversal of last year's friendly in Brentford - when Essien lorded it over Mikel and the Black Stars battered Nigeria 4-1 - Mikel was clearly on top of the battle of the Chelsea team-mates.
For all his class, however, Mikel lack assertiveness (though not aggression). In a spellbinding bout of possession just before the half-hour mark, he orchestrated a sequence of flicks and one-touch passes that Ghana simply didn't look capable of - however, the move lacked purpose: keeping possession is all very well but Mikel seemed too satisfied with that, not bold enough to drive towards a target.
Fittingly, it was immediately after that spell of snappy but aimless passing that Essien sprung into action - as if riled by Mikel's delicate dithering, he seized the ball in his own half and simply stormed towards the Nigerian box before teeing up Gyan. The striker took the ball in his stride and smashed it against the outside of the post.
Moments later Agogo would have opened the scoring but botched his first touch. Nonetheless, when Nigeria found the net three mintues later, their lead was deserved. The Algerian referee could already have awarded Nigeria a penalty and several dangerous free-kicks but instead constantly penalised Odemwingie rather than the home defence he was bamboozling. When John Mensah wrestled him to the ground in the 31st minute, it was a Ghanaian foul too far. After Yakubu converted the penalty, Ghana seemed to be on their way out. Indeed, the shot that Essien pumped yards wide two mintues later looked not so much like the harbinger of a revival but the symptom of a dearth of better ideas
You don't often see referees allocate three minutes of additional time at the end of the first half (though they frequently should) but that's what Mohamed Benouza did and Ghana were soon to be grateful. Because at a time when most officials would have already signalled a break, Sulley Muntari swung a cross into the centre and Essien, surging between the centre-backs, planted a header in off the post. The Ohene Djan Stadium bounced throughout the interval as the Black Stars' fans exulted. But after the resumption it quickly became clear that Nigeria were still the more coherent unit. Ghana suffered from awkward spaces between their various components and looked like they were trying to advance by missing out a step.
On the hour mark, Nigeria tore through Ghana's middle and Odemwingie, collecting a clever through-ball, cut in front of Mensah. Ghana's captain chopped the Nigerian down and deservedly saw red. From the resultant free-kick Taye Taiwo unleashed a trademark thunderbolt and Richard Kingson saved superbly.
It was then that Vogts's limitations came to the fore. With Ghana down to 10 men and Essien drafted into defence, the circumstances were changed utterly - but Vogts neglected to react accordingly. Afterwards he said he instructed his players simply "to attack, to keep on going". That wooliness failed to address the fact that the expulsion compelled Ghana to find extra steel.
"After the red card we went into a huddle and said 'we now have big responsibilities to our country'," explained Muntari. "We told each other to make sure we were big enough to handle them."
The Ghanaian players' resolve, perhaps epitomised most by Agogo, who, though now alone up front, suddenly transformed himself into a rampaging menace, was matched by that of their manager. Claude Leroy's changes were audacious. And effective.
Gyan was withdrawn and Laryea Kingston introduced in the middle, where he contributed creativity. Quincy was replaced by Haminu Dramani, whose entrance was greeted with suspicion by the crowd. The winger's first touch gave an indication why - after mis-controlling the ball he ran to retrieve it but instead headed it straight out of play.
His second touch, however, ignited the fans and his team-mates. Showing the directness Quincy so often spurned, he simply skinned Obinna Nwaneri and fired the ball into the middle, only for brave blocks by Yobo and Danny Shittu to keep Ghana at bay.
Ghana kept coming and Vogts still did nothing. On 81 minutes Dramani again drove towards the box and this time fed Muntari, whose shot-cum-cross was hammered into the net by Agogo.
Now, at least, Vogts reacted. But his switch to a desperate 4-2-4 simply ensured Ghana maintained their newfound dominion in the middle. The Black Stars were so sure Nigeria hand been neutered that Kingston and Hansu Adu Sarpei decided to entertain the crowd by each juggling the ball before flipping it provocatively over Taiwo's head. The ball then came to Muntari on the far side and he got into the spirit of things by nutmegging Obinna. Three mintues to go and the Ghanaian party had begun. By the look and sound of things around Accra now, it's not going to stop any time soon.


AGOGO GUIDES GHANA
INTO LAST FOUR
(The Independent of London)

THE Nottingham Forest striker Junior Agogo sent 10-man Ghana into the African Nations Cup semi-finals when his late goal gave the hosts a 2-1 victory over Nigeria yesterday.
An exhausted Agogo, who struggled through the second half with tiredness, was on hand to tap in virtually on the goalline after Sulley Muntari had squeezed a square pass through the Nigeria defence with eight minutes remaining. Yakubu had given Nigeria the lead in the quarter-final in Accra with a 35th-minute penalty only for the Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien to equalise with a fine header on the stroke of half-time.
Tournament hosts Ghana will meet either Tunisia or Cameroun, who play today, in Thursday's semi-final in Accra.
In yesterday's other quarter-final, Chelsea strikers Salomon Kalou, with two, and Didier Drogba were both on the scoresheet as favourites Ivory Coast hammered Guinea 5-0 to make it through to the semi-finals.
Abdelkader Keita put the Elephants ahead in the first half, but the result was not wrapped up until midway through the second when the Chelsea duo struck before Baki Kone also scored four minutes from time.
Ivory Coast will meet the winners of today's first quarter-final between Angola and Egypt in the last four.
Agogo's winner came 20 minutes after Ghana had been reduced to 10 men with the sending off of their captain John Mensah. The central defender was shown a red card for a professional foul on Peter Odemwingie on the edge of Ghana's penalty area. Mensah will miss the semi-final.
Nigeria took the lead 10 minutes from half-time when Eric Addo brought down Yakubu with a rugby-style tackle. The Everton striker converted from the spot for only the third goal in their four matches by a disappointing Nigeria.
Essien put Ghana level when he powered home a header from Quincy Owusu-Abeyie's free-kick.
"It's a fantastic team effort, they are really 11 heroes," said Claude Le Roy, the Ghana coach. "We took a risk not to change our formation and bring on a defender after Mensah had been sent off but we wanted to keep attacking."
The Nigeria coach, Berti Vogts said Ghana had shown more experience at crucial times in the match. "We made one or two mistakes and that is not allowed in international football. I'm very disappointed," he said.
It was the first time in five Nations Cup tournaments that Nigeria have failed to reach the last four.


DANCING ON THE
STREETS OF ACCRA
(FIFA.com)

GHANA-Nigeria is never just an ordinary football match, and the opening quarter final at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2008 certainly lived up to its billing. It was a long Sunday in Accra, with the city torn between good-natured enjoyment and a real footballing rivalry.
The build-up to this match began as soon as the first round finished in the capital, when it became clear to Ghanaian supporters that their Nigerian neighbours were the next team standing in their way of the title. "We're going to win, I know it," said Ujin the taxi driver on Friday. "These Eagles haven't been Super for a few years now, and we're at home. The main objective isn't this match, it's the trophy."
And on Sunday morning, the whole country awoke with stars in their eyes - Black Stars of course. At every set of traffic lights a swarm of street vendors descended on cars, selling flags, caps and t-shirts all in Ghanaian colours, while the decibel level on the approach to the stadium grew steadily higher.
The 410 kilometres which separate the Nigerian capital Lagos from Accra certainly did not discourage away fans from making the journey. The surrounding streets were awash with fans bedecked in green and white, dancing to the incessant music a good four hours before kick-off. The West African derby may be fiercely contested but animosity is certainly not the order of the day.
As you would expect, thousands of fans are painted from head to toe in Ghanaian colours, the air filled with the scent of beef kebabs and fufu, a local delicacy. People sway to the rhythm of the reggae music and everyone seems to have a smile on their faces - after all, this is a family occasion. "3 February 2008 is a great day - one of the greatest in our history," the public announcer tells the stadium. Claude Le Roy builds up the expectation levels even more as he "high fives" each of his players at the end of the warm-up.
After a dignified silence during the Nigerian national anthem, the volume is cranked up to ear-drum bursting proportions when it is Ghana's turn. Those in charge of the music in the stadium have to turn up the sound to the absolute maximum in a vain attempt to make the music audible over the singing.
The Nigerians are quiet until the 35th minute, when Yakubu Ayegbeni opens the scoring and silences the home fans. The "clap-claps" - cunningly given away free by local sponsors of the tournament - soon start up again however, and even the policemen in the stadium start dancing after Michael Essien equalises in first-half injury time. Ghana still have a long way to go but the tide has definitely turned.
With the crowd behind them, Claude Le Roy's men start to press and it seems that nothing can stop them, not even the sending-off of their captain John Mensah. With extra time looming, Junior Agogo finally bags the winner to the delight of a whole nation.
After the final whistle, the Black Stars embark on a well deserved lap of honour and even their French coach, usually so reserved, is overcome by the moment, tossing the squad's spare shirts into the crowd. Everyone is celebrating, even injured star player Stephen Appiah, wearing his colours by the side of the pitch.
“Any time Nigeria play in a tournament, Ghana disappear," a Super Eagles fan had told us before the match, but tonight, the car horns will be sounding deep into the night in Accra... When the players get off the team bus, there are scenes of absolute elation among the supporters. Dozens of youngsters chase after the coach, the streets are packed and all of Ghana seems to be dancing and singing. The dream is getting closer...


GHANA 2, NIGERIA 1
(BBC)

GHANA came from behind to earn a semi-final place with victory over Nigeria in a game full of drama.
Nigeria took the lead on 34 minutes through a Yakubu penalty, but Michael Essien's glancing header put the Black Stars level on the stroke of half-time.
Ghana were reduced to 10 men on the hour, as captain John Mensah was sent off for a professional foul.
But Ghana continued to attack, and with eight minutes remaining, Junior Agogo's close-range finish gave them victory.
Ghana had the upper hand for most of the first half, which was a scrappy, physical affair.
The first clear chance fell to Nigeria on 11 minutes when winger Ikechukwu Uche went on a bustling run and set up Yakubu, who fired wide.
Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo almost put the ball in his own net three minutes later, as he cut out a Sulley Muntari cross.
Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan hit the post with a left-footer on 25 minutes, and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie's lively play persistently troubled Nigeria.
The Black Stars were still on top when they conceded the penalty, Eric Addo pulling Yakubu down.
The Everton striker stroked the spot-kick into the bottom-left corner, with Richard Kingson going the right way
Ghana were down for the first time in the tournament, and faced a huge test of character.
The equaliser came with the last move of the first period, Owusu's cross was met with a glancing header by Essien.
The ball went in off the left post, and trickled along the goal line before going in.
The atmosphere at half-time was astonishing, with Ghana fans celebrating as if they had won the Nations Cup itself.
Nigeria came very close three minutes after the break, a 40-yard lob by Uche was pushed over the bar by a back-pedalling Kingson.
But Ghana remained in the ascendancy overall, with the crowd roaring on their every move.
The drama heightened when Mensah was sent off in the 60th minute for clipping down Osaze Odemwingie as he raced towards the penalty area.
Three Nigeria efforts were stopped from the resulting free-kick, but the Super Eagles failed to capitalise of their numerical advantage.
Ghana resisted the temptation to play for extra time and penalties, and the winner came on 82 minutes.
Muntari crossed inside the box to the unmarked Agogo, who finished from four yards out.
Nigeria were unable to respond, and Ghana beat them for only the second time at the Nations Cup, in what was a memorable match.