PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria -- Embattled Nigeria beat Ghana 3-0 on Sunday to reach the World Cup soccer finals for the third time in succession.

A first-minute header by Schalke 04 striker Victor Agali and two superbly executed goals by Tijani Babangida in the 18th and 22nd minutes set the stage for Nigeria's first victory over their arch rivals since 1984.

Despite Ghana's impressive display in the midfield from their mostly local talent, the firepower of a Nigerian side brimming with international stars proved far superior.

Ghana's fate was effectively sealed after substitute goalkeeper Osei Boateng was sent off for a bad tackle three minutes before halftime.

Nigeria's triumph ends a long running national embarrassment and controversy following the defeat of the once formidable Eagles by unrated Liberia and Sierra Leone in the Africa group B that also included Sudan.

Nigeria now join other African qualifiers South Africa, Cameroon, Tunisia and Senegal in the finals.

Sunday's encounter in the southeastern oil city of Port Harcourt, with the Nigerians cheered on by a capacity 16,000 crowd led by President Olusegun Obasanjo, appeared to be an anti-climax after the tense run-up to match day.

LIBERIA MISS OUT

The Nigerians had to win the game to secure their place in the finals and their victory edged out Liberia.

Wild celebrations broke out in Port Harcourt and in other cities in the soccer-mad nation of over 110 million people.

At one stage Nigerians had all but lost all hope of being at the finals after some lack-lustre performances by the Super Eagles in earlier qualifiers.

"There is wild jubilation all over town," a Port Harcourt resident said as youths on motorbikes and in speeding cars criss-crossed the city, headlamps blazing.

President Obasanjo mingled with both Ghanaian and Nigerian players as the Nigerians popped champagne amid surging supporters.

The streets of the capital Abuja came alive as the match ended after being deserted as residents followed the game on television.

"It is the best match by the Super Eagles," said Abuja businessman Ibiba Bob-Manuel.

"The coaching crew has lived up to expectation," he said, referring to the all-Nigerian team of handlers led by Amodu Shaibu.

After Dutch manager Jo Bonfrere's sacking in April following a string of poor results, the victory means that for the first time a Nigerian coach has seen his side to the finals.

"This is what Nigerians have been yearning for -- to give the local coaches the opportunity to prove themselves," Bob-Manuel added.