Four-time champions Ghana, inspired by Asamoah Gyan's first half goal have qualified for the African Nations Cup finals thanks to 1-0 win over bitter rivals Nigeria.

The result at the November 11 Stadium in Luanda maintained Ghana's hopes of a fifth title dream as the Black Stars reach the finale for the first after 18 years.

Back in 1992, Ghana defeated Nigeria in the same competition to reach the finals and again, the Black Stars repeated the same feat.

Striker Asamoah Gyan scored the decisive goal on 21 minutes nodding in from a corner kick as Ghana await the winner of the Algeria-Egypt clash in the finals on Sunday in Luanda.

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac made one change from the team that beat host Angola in the quarterfinals, bringing in Anthony Annan for Haminu Draman after the midfielder recovered from a thigh injury.

In a first-half played at a slow pace, Nigerian enjoyed larger spells of possession as Ghana sat back and always went on the counter in the early stages of the match.

Nigeria seemed to push and as Ghana broke on the left, the Black Stars earned a a corner kick.

Kwadwo Asamoah delivered his cross to the front post with Gyan nipping in to head in past goalkeeper Enyeama on 21 minutes. The goal was the striker's third in the competition.

Gyan went close again when he tried to lob Vincent Enyeama but the ball went over the bar.

Ghana were forced into an early substitution as Opoku Agyemang was taken off for Haminu Draman.

Nigeria pushed with their best chance of the afternoon falling to Obafemi Martins but his attempt to equalise drew a fine save from Ghana captain Richard Kingson.

The Super Eagles went close with efforts from Peter Odemwingie trying his luck from outside the area.

Ghana's Haminu Draman and Nigeria's Yussuf Ayila have both picked yellow cards in the first half.

The second period resumed with the Super Eagles earning two quick corner kicks in three minutes.