Michael Essien's Ghana are through to their first World Cup finals

Ghana rewrote their football history when qualifying for their first World Cup finals with a 4-0 win over Cape Verde in Praia on Saturday.

The Group Two leaders eased their passage to Germany 2006 thanks to two goals from Sulley Muntari, one from Godwin Attram and one from Laryea Kingston.

The victory takes the four-time African champions to 21 points in the group, five clear of both South Africa and DR Congo, who drew 2-2 in Durban.

"It's a dream come true," said Kwesi Nyantakkyi, the acting president of the Ghana Football Association.

"We're in the history books.

"Ever since Ghana became a nation, we've never reached the World Cup."

Both Bafana Bafana and the Simbas qualify for next year's Nations Cup in Egypt after their draw in Durban.

Sibusiso Zuma gave South Africa the lead in the first half, before Mabi Mputu equalised for the Simbas.

Shabani Nonda then gave DR Congo the lead, but Zuma struck his second to seal the draw.

The draw left both South Africa and DR Congo on 16 points, three clear of Burkina Faso.

The Stallions' Nations Cup chances were firmly closed after a 2-2 draw in Uganda.