Nkong, who plays in Mexico for Atlante, scored the winner in the 71st minute as Cameroon edged closer to a record-equaling fifth Nations Cup title.

The Indomitable Lions finished with ten men on the field after Andre Bikey was handed a straight red card in stoppage time.

The Reading defender was furious that the pitch's medical team surrounded Rigobert Song, who was lying down on the turf, before astonishingly pushing one of them.

Cameroon will face the winners of Egypt's semi-final clash against the in-form Ivory Coast later on Thursday.

Both teams were cautious in the first-half, but still managed to create some clear-cut chances.

Eric Addo could have put Ghana ahead after six minutes but he somehow let Sulley Muntari's cross at the far post evades him.

Cameroon's Achille Emana had a decent chance midway through the first-half when his powerful right-footed drive went just over the bar.

In the 28th minute, Ghana midfielder Dede Ayew sidestepped Rigobert Song just inside the area but his weak low shot was easily collected by keeper Carlos Kameni.

Cameroon came close to breaking the deadlock seven minutes before the break.

Newcastle full-back Geremi blasted a fierce free-kick which cannoned off the crossbar, to the delight of Ghana guardian Richard Kingson who was left stranded.

Substitute Nkong, who replaced Joseph Desire Job in the second-half, stunned the home crowd in the 71st minute after finishing off a swift counter attack.

Nkong fed Samuel Eto'o in Ghana's half before running towards the 18-yard box.

He received the Barcelona striker's deft through pass to go clear before slotting into the bottom corner of the net.

Ghana striker Junior Agogo twice came close to leveling the score.

In the 78th minute, Song's sluggishness allowed the Nottingham Forest to ghost behind him and receive a long ball inside the area, but Kameni rushed out to block his effort.

Three minutes later, his free header went over the bar as Cameroon managed to hold onto their lead to claim a precious win.