2002 World Cup - Nigeria 3 Ghana 0

Nigeria set up a night of celebration for their fans with a comfortable 3-0 win over Ghana in Port Harcourt to claim a place at the 2002 World Cup finals.

The Nigerians will join Senegal, Cameroon, South Africa and Tunisia from the African qualifying zone in Korea and Japan next year.

Liberia needed Ghana to at least draw yesterday to keep their place in a World Cup finals for the first time but with nothing to play for Ghana never looked like holding out against the determined Nigerians who put aside their usual feuding and money rows to play together as a team.

Nigeria had the perfect start when Victor Agali scored in only the first minute when he reached a deep free kick to head in.

Tijani Babangide hit a low drive in the 18th minute and then scored from a similar chance in the 33rd minute to seal the victory and start the party.

Ghana goalkeeper Osei Boateng was sent off four minutes before half time and had lasted only two minutes on the field as a substitute before a late tackle earned an instant red card which forced Ghana - whose professional players had boycotted the match - to use a striker in goal but Nigeria were disinclined to atack again from a position of strength.