Ghana defeat Nigeria in Semi-Finals

Richard Kingson will become Wigan Athletic's first player to appear in a major international final on Sunday, after Ghana defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the African Cup of Nations Semi-Final.

It is the Black Stars first appearance in the Final since 1992, an achievement made all the more impressive as it was done without star-man Michael Essien, who returned home last week with a knee injury.

Ghana took the lead after 20 minutes when Asamoah Gyan, the man who scored the winner in the Quarter-Final against Angola, headed home a Kwadwo Asamoah corner.

Nigeria, who included Chelsea's Mikel John Obi, Everton's Yakubu, and former Newcastle United hit-man Obafemi Martins, were limited to just a few chances, and when they did carve out an opportunity Kingson, who captained his country, was there on a number of occasions to keep them out.

A hat-trick of important saves from Martins meant Ghana's one goal was decisive in the end.

His first major contribution, and the pick of the bunch, came on the half-hour mark getting down superbly and preventing Martins from equalising.

Then, on the hour-mark the skipper was again there to thwart Martins, rushing out and blocking the striker's lobbed effort.

Finally, with 15 minutes left Martins created a good angle inside the area on his favoured left-foot but still couldn't find a way past Kingson.

And so, thanks to those crucial saves, the score-line remained 1-0 to Ghana. Cue jubilant celebrations at the final whistle and a Cup Final date, in Luanda, with either Egypt or Algeria on Sunday.