A first-half goal by Asamoah Gyan earned Ghana a 1-0 win over Nigeria and a place in the African Cup of Nations final for the first time in 18 years.

The only goal of the game came midway through the first half of a hard-fought contest, with a Kwadwo Asamoah corner catching the Super Eagles napping and in-form Rennes striker Gyan providing the finishing touch.

It was one-way traffic after Ghana's goal, but wasteful finishing from Nigeria, coupled with some dogged defending and some especially solid goalkeeping from Wigan goalkeeper Richard Kingston, helped four-time former winners Ghana seal a place in the final for the first time since 1992.

Ghana were without more than five of their regular players through injury, and although they were cautious throughout the 90 minutes, they actually finished the stronger side with 10 minutes to go, as the anxiety began to show amongst the Nigerians. Ghana looked happy to sit back on their one-goal lead, and they will now face Egypt in Sunday's final.