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Ghana are through to the finals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations after they held on to a first-half lead to progress. Striker Asamoah Gyan made a darting run to fire in a near-post header to put the Black Stars ahead after 21 minutes in the first Semi-final of the tournament which pitted the two West African rivals together in an encounter that was dominated by Nigeria in terms of chances. A game brilliant for its tension, for the discipline of the young Ghanaians, and for the relentless pressure applied by Nigeria. Fine drama! However, the Super Eagles were unable to translate their opportunities into goals, and Ghana after snatching a lead in the first-half, defended doggedly to frustrate their more experienced opponents. It was one-way traffic thereafter as wasteful finishing from their opponents, coupled with some dogged defending and some especially solid goalkeeping from Wigan goalkeeper Richard Kingston, helped the four-time former winners seal a place in the final for the first time since 1992. Ghana were able to call on Rosenborg-midfielder Anthony Annan for the first time in the tournament at the heart of the team, with Dramane dropping to the bench to accommodate the change. Nigeria were able to start Obafemi Martins for the first time in Angola, and he came in for the disappointing Yakubu. The availability of Martins almost paid immediate dividends when a ball was lofted into the Ghana penalty area, but just evaded the Wolfsburg-based striker, who had broken into the box. GHANA GET INTO THEIR GROOVE The early opening suggested it might be an exciting encounter, but the game quickly settled into a cautious pattern, with neither side too keen to commit men forward. However, on 20 minutes Ghana stunned Nigeria by grabbing a goal from a set piece. A well delivered out-swinging cross from the Ghana left by Kwadwo Asamoah was met by the head of Asamoah Gyan to divert the ball into the net to make it 1-0 with the Nigerian defence left static. Five minutes later and Gyan might have doubled Ghana�s lead when he side-footed a looping effort just over the bar. The ball just wouldn�t quite dip enough, but it certainly had Vincent Enyeama back-peddling nervously in the Nigerian goal. NIGERIA RESPOND Nigeria should have struck back on 27 minutes through Obafemi Martins. A shot from outside the area by Peter Odemwingie fell at the feet of Martins, who found himself in the way of the effort. The former Newcastle-forward turned on the ball in a flash, but with just the keeper to beat and from no more than 6 yards somehow managed to hit Kingson, the Ghanaian goalie. The Super Eagles continued to push forward for the equaliser and Uwa Echiejele, the left-back for Nigeria, curled a wonderful ball to the far post with both Martins and Odemwigie waiting with intent. It was Odemwingie who got his head to the ball, but delivered his effort wide of the post to let Ghana off after some shabby defending. Just before the interval Sani Kaita let fly with a long-range effort, which had a few Nigerian supporters out of their seats. The ball hit the stanchion and rippled the outside of the netting. Into injury time and Peter Odemwingie attempted an effort at the near post from a short corner, although should probably have squared the pass back to the waiting Martins in the middle. Ghana after their goal just before the midpoint were pleased to just get into the break with their advantage intact. After suffering several injuries during the half, which forced them into a change up front and the goalkeeper Richard Kingson having some treatment, they started dropping deep and allowing Nigeria to dominate possession. Nigeria having created several presentable chances had been unable to take advantage of any of them, but their attacking performance was an improvement on their previous games at the 2010 African Cup of Nations. Nigeria continued to take the game to Ghana in the second half, but it took nearly a quarter of an hour for them to create a genuine chance. Sani Keita chipped a ball forward, which was helped on by Mikel to the onrushing Martins. However, Martins was charged down by Richard Kingson, who made himself big to block the attempted volley. Shortly after, the architect of that chance Mikel should have done better with a shot from outside the area, but hit his curling attempt well-wide in the end. The Black Stars finally managed an attempt in the second half on 64 minutes when midfielder Ageymang-Badu brought a good save out of Vincent Enyeama in the Nigerian goal at his near post with a low shot.