AFCON 2015: Ghana for quarter finals‏


The Senior national football team, the Black Stars, have qualified for the quarter finals of the 30th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations on going in Equitorial Guinea. 

They came from a goal down to beat the Bafana Bafana of South Africa two-one in a crucial and last Group "C" match in Mongomo. 

The victory was also the first time the first time the Stars have beaten Bafana Bafana in an Africa Cup Championship. The South Africans shot into the lead in the 18th minute through Masango. 

Jordan Ayew in the 5th and 6th minutes failed to score from series of chances that came his way. All the 5 corner kicks that were conceded by the South Africans in the first half were all headed away. 

Again, all the long balls that were floated into the half of the South Africans were again headed away by their tall defenders. In the 34th minute, defender Daniel Amartey limped off and was replaced by John Boye. 

The second half resumed with the Black Stars still probing for the equaliser. 

Captain Asamoah Gyan's 46th minute freekick behind the "D" of the South Africa's 18 yard box, narrowly missed the cross bar. South Africa's goalie and his defenders kept dealing with all the long balls into their territory. 

A cross by Andre Ayew into the 18th yard box of the South Africans was beautifully controlled by John Boye who had joined the attack, turned and kicked it with his unfavourable left foot which went through the legs of Brilliant Khuzwayo into the net for the equaliser in the 72nd minute. 

The introduction of Kwesi Appiah for Jordan Ayew and Agyemang Badu for Afriyie Acquah strengthened the grip of the Stars on the game. 

As if the match was heading for a draw, Mubarak Wakasu floated an in swinger into the goal area of the Bafana Bafana and a flying Jordan Ayew headed it into the net for the Stars second goal and match winner. 

Ghana will play one of the qualifiers in Group D in the quarter finals.

The group consist of Guinea and Mali, Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroon and they will play this evening.

GBC