Ghana qualified for their fifth consecutive African Cup of Nations semi-final by beating a mediocre Guinea side 3 - 0. The Black Stars were in full control right from the start of the game. They were all over the National Elephants who had qualified for the quarter-final at the expense of Mali, after a dramatic drawing of lots on Thursday .
Christian Atsu, 23, Chelsea winger on loan to Everton, gave the Black Stars the lead after just four minutes, when he scored a powerful shot from outside the box. The second goal for Ghana came in the 44th minute after an error from Baissama Sanko, which allowed Kwesi Appiah, 24, to run through clean and finish one-on-one just before the half time.
The Black Stars looked comfortable at the start of the second half. The National Elephants appeared traumatised; they could not step up a gear and this looked a game too far for a team that never past quarterfinals in the African Cup of Nations. Their fate was sealed in the 61st minute when Atsu made it 3-0 as he cut in from the right flank to score an outrageous shot in the top corner. This was a brilliant goal!
From then on, Ghana were just playing lots of passes and keeping the ball very well. They took their time and were content in playing the rest of the match in third gear, as their opponents lacked threat. The Black Stars were saving themselves for a meeting with the tournament hosts Equatorial Guinea in the semi-finals next Thursday.
Ghana have won the African Cup of Nations in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982 and have been runners-up four times, namely in 1968, 1979, 1992 and 2010. Avram Grant and his men are seeking their fifth tournament title. National Elephants already disappointing day was made worse in injury time when goalkeeper Yattara clattered Ghana's talismanic striker Asamoah Gyan, 29, inside his penalty area and was sent off for the reckless challenge.
Overall, the match was a stark contrast to Saturday's quarter-final between Congo and DR Congo, which the latter came from two goals down to win 2-4 and reach the semi-finals!
