LUANDA - Ghana defeated a 10-man Burkina Faso 1-0 here yesterday to add their names to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal cast list.
LUANDA - Ghana defeated a 10-man Burkina Faso 1-0 here yesterday to add their names to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal cast list.
The World Cup qualifiers and four-time continental champions will now face hosts Angola here at the 11 November Stadium on Sunday for a place in the semifinals.
After their opening 3-1 defeat to favourites Ivory Coast this was a must-win game for Ghana if they weren't to be sent home in disgrace. And André Ayew, son of one of Africa's most decorated players, Abedi "Pele" Ayew, earned them the three points with the decisive first-half goal and the runners-up spot in Group B behind table toppers and fellow World Cup qualifiers Ivory Coast.
Ghana suffered a major eve-of-match blow with Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien pulling out with a right knee injury he picked up in training on Sunday.
Serb coach Milovan Rajevac, who made four changes from the side that fell 3-1 to Ivory Coast, had already suffered a raft of injuries to key members of his squad.
Burkina Faso required only a draw to see them go through after a tight defensive strategy had harvested one point in their goalless opener against Ivory Coast.
Burkina Faso marginally had the better of a forgettable first half hour that lacked punch until the 30th minute when Ghana's Bayer Leverkusen defender Hans Adu Sarpei conjured up a perfect 35m cross from the right flank for Ayew to head sharply past keeper Daouda Diakite.
Sarpei picked up a yellow card shortly after for a late challenge on Jonathan Pitroipa to add to the three already dished out by Seychelles referee Eddy Maillet to Burkina Faso's Mamadou Tall, Pitriopa and Mady Panandetiguiri.
Burkina Faso emerged for the second half knowing they had to accomplish something they had so far failed to do in Angola - namely score - if they and not Ghana were to progress.
Ghana, however, remained firmly in control and on the 66th minute Burkina Faso were down a man as Maillet red-carded defender Mamadou Tall for a challenge on Asamoah Gyan.
Draman almost extended Ghana's lead with quarter of an hour remaining but his shot came to rest in the near post's side netting. - Sapa-AFP
GHANA subdue the stallions
LUANDA - Ghana defeated a 10-man Burkina Faso 1-0 here yesterday to add their names to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal cast list.
LUANDA - Ghana defeated a 10-man Burkina Faso 1-0 here yesterday to add their names to the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal cast list.
The World Cup qualifiers and four-time continental champions will now face hosts Angola here at the 11 November Stadium on Sunday for a place in the semifinals.
After their opening 3-1 defeat to favourites Ivory Coast this was a must-win game for Ghana if they weren't to be sent home in disgrace. And André Ayew, son of one of Africa's most decorated players, Abedi "Pele" Ayew, earned them the three points with the decisive first-half goal and the runners-up spot in Group B behind table toppers and fellow World Cup qualifiers Ivory Coast.
Ghana suffered a major eve-of-match blow with Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien pulling out with a right knee injury he picked up in training on Sunday.
Serb coach Milovan Rajevac, who made four changes from the side that fell 3-1 to Ivory Coast, had already suffered a raft of injuries to key members of his squad.
Burkina Faso required only a draw to see them go through after a tight defensive strategy had harvested one point in their goalless opener against Ivory Coast.
Burkina Faso marginally had the better of a forgettable first half hour that lacked punch until the 30th minute when Ghana's Bayer Leverkusen defender Hans Adu Sarpei conjured up a perfect 35m cross from the right flank for Ayew to head sharply past keeper Daouda Diakite.
Sarpei picked up a yellow card shortly after for a late challenge on Jonathan Pitroipa to add to the three already dished out by Seychelles referee Eddy Maillet to Burkina Faso's Mamadou Tall, Pitriopa and Mady Panandetiguiri.
Burkina Faso emerged for the second half knowing they had to accomplish something they had so far failed to do in Angola - namely score - if they and not Ghana were to progress.
Ghana, however, remained firmly in control and on the 66th minute Burkina Faso were down a man as Maillet red-carded defender Mamadou Tall for a challenge on Asamoah Gyan.
Draman almost extended Ghana's lead with quarter of an hour remaining but his shot came to rest in the near post's side netting. - Sapa-AFP
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