Agogo puts Ghana into semifinals

ACCRA, Ghana -- Hosts Ghana overcame the sending-off of captain John Mensah to come from behind and beat Nigeria 2-1 to reach the semifinals of the African Nations Cup in Accra on Sunday.

Ivory Coast crushed Guinea 5-0 to stride into the last four.

Ghana's hopes of a record-equaling fifth tournament triumph dipped when Yakubu fired Nigerian in front from the penalty spot but Michael Essien headed an equalizer before the break.

Mensah was dismissed midway through the second half but Junior Agogo sent the Ghana fans wild when he tapped into an empty net with seven minutes left.

It booked Ghana's place in the last four where they will meet Tunisia or Cameroon.

Udinese striker Asamoah Gyan was passed fit and Ghana coach Claude Le Roy started with the side that beat Morocco, with back-from-suspension Hearts midfielder Laryea Kingston amongst the subs.

Nigerian coach Berti Vogts was deprived of skipper Nwankwo Kanu for a third straight match after being injured in the opening game.

Ghana were the sharper for most of the first half, with Essien marshalling the midfield and proving a much more potent force than his Chelsea teammate John Obi Mikel for Nigeria.

Nevertheless Nigeria went ahead when John Paintsil fouled Uche in the area in the 33rd minute.

Yakubu beat Birmingham City keeper Richard Kingston with an accurate low shot.

Ghana drew level when Essien heading home Muntari's cross in first-half injury time.

On the hour Mensah clipped the heels of Lokomotiv Moscow striker Peter Odemwingie and was dismissed. Le Roy replaced ineffective attacker Gyan with Laryea Kingston in midfield.

Kingston's goalkeeper brother produced an acrobatic diving save to deny Tye Taiwo before Ghana snatched the winner.

Agogo was unmarked in the goalmouth to meet Muntari's low cross.

Ivory Coast punished careless defending by Guinea to go ahead with a fierce cross shot from Kader Keita after 25 minutes.

Guinea remained in the hunt until they conceded a 70th minute goal to Didier Drogba. Then they caved in and Ivory Coast strolled through the closing stages, adding another three goals.

Kalou was able to walk the ball into an empty net after 72 minutes and added another simple effort nine minutes later.

Baki Kone cracked in a spectacular fifth with four minutes left. Ivory Coast now face Egypt or Angola in the semifinals. E-mail to a friend