‘Young’ Stars shoot the Black Antelopes – Ghana 1-0 Angola African Cup of Nations Quarterfinals

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

The Black Stars of Ghana today beat host nation Angola by a lone goal to advance to the semifinal stage of the African Cup of Nations. As expected, it was an intense match with a lot at stake for both sides.

It was an entertaining first half, and in the first 10 minutes of the game, both team tried seize possession. The Stars created a few brilliant chances upfront after that. It was one of those chances that French based striker Asamoah Gyan capitalized to score Ghana’s only goal. Kwadwo Asamoah created the goal when he played a beautiful through-ball all the way from the center circle to find his teammate, Gyan. Gyan’s first time control was solid and his place ball finish was even superb.

The Stars fell back for most of the rest of the half. The Angolans came close a number of times but blew away the chances. Mancho was the worst culprit.

The second half started on a queit note with the pace of the game dropping significantly. The Angolans stepped up the game as it progressed and put the Ghanaians on the back foot most of the time. The Stars defense was resolute and dealt with the danger.

The Stars came close in the 63rd minute when a ball that dropped behind the Angolan defense found Dramani. His shot at goal however was no more than a routine for shot stopper Carlos.

In the 72nd minute, substitute Job put in a quality ball into the box. It found Manucho whose free header went just wide. Ghana had another rare attacking moment after 78 minutes. Kwadwo Asamoah’s sot from 27m forced a brilliant save from Carlos.

The result slips the Black Stars into the semifinals of the competition. They play the winner of the Nigeria-Zambia game.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Ghana – Burkina Faso Preview: African Cup of Nations Group B (soccerdistrict.wordpress.com)
• Andre Ayew’s header sneaks Ghana into last eight – Ivory Coast and Ghana qualify for quarterfinals (soccerdistrict.wordpress.com)
• Ivory Coast qualify for quater finals as they beat Ghana – African Cup of Nations: Ivory Coast 3-1 Ghana (soccerdistrict.wordpress.com)