Ghana-Nigeria: Quotes

After the Match

• BBC Listener: When Ghana got the winning goal by AGOGO. There was absolute silence in AGEGE

• Jnr Agogo: Somebody said no matter how high the eagle flies, it can never soar above the stars

• Coach Leroy: "I don't know whether John deserved the red card. The referee was very fast to send him off. This case was not clear cut. We took a risk not to change our formation and bring on a defender after Mensah had been sent off but we wanted to keep attacking. We wanted to win it."

• Peter Odemwingie: "Football has changed. We [Nigeria] are used to being the big team of Africa but the game has changed. We can't afford to underrate anyone any more"

• Hans Adu Sarpei: We are delighted to beat Nigeria. It was a game with two very strong teams and two very good teams and I think in the end we wanted to win more than Nigeria.

• Sulley Muntari: When John was sent off we were all conscious of the responsibility on our shoulders. We couldn't lose this match. It was a great effort to beat Nigeria, who aren't a weak side, with a man down."

• Nigerian coach Vogts: "I'm very disappointed, we paid dearly for our mistakes," said the German. But I have a young team, they're not so experienced as Ghana who were in the last World Cup. My boys gave 100 percent today, we lose together, we win together."

• Junior Agogo: "For me, personally I'm buzzing. When we went down to 10 men everyone had to give that extra 10 per cent. I can't believe we are through."

• Coach Leroy: "I'm so proud to be the Ghana coach, congratulations to them all. They were heroes to first come back from a goal down, then hold on and get the winner."

Before the Match

• "Jesus help our Black Stars lift this Cup. Oh Lord when our defence is stretched let the linesman's flag be raised high. Halleluiah! Amen." - Pastor in Accra

• "I'm hoping it's an Ivory Coast and Ghana final, just to keep Arsenal and Chelsea's players occupied. It's no use kidding, Arsene Wenger and Avram Grant know what I'm hoping for. In fact, I'm hoping the final goes to extra-time, penalties and maybe even a replay." -Sir Alex Ferguson