LUANDA: Ghana face neighbours Nigeria in a charged west African derby here on Thursday with the prize a ticket to the Africa Cup of Nations final.

The semi-finalists who face off at Luanda’s 11 November Stadium made it through in wildly contrasting fashions. While four-time winners Ghana impressed in their 1-0 quarter-final win over hosts Angola, Nigeria laboured to a goalless extra-time draw with Zambia, only prevailing on penalties, with Israeli-based goalkeeper Victor Enyeama converting the decisive spot kick for a 5-4 win.

Despite their far from impressive performance Ghana coach Milovan Rajevic is too wily a coach to take Nigeria’s form in Benguela at face value. “If you just look at Nigeria’s quarter-final performance it can create a false impression,” warned the Serb.

Rajevic has worked wonders to get Ghana this

far given the injury crisis he has had to contend with, Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien among a host of key players out injured.