Angola 0-1 Ghana

By Syerramia Willoughby

Hosts Angola crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations in frustrating fashion as Ghana edged their quarter-final tie.

Asamoah Gyan got the only goal of the game in Luanda with 16 minutes played.

The Rennes forward pounced on a fine ball from Kwadwo Asamoah and slotted in calmly from the right-hand side of the penalty area for the Black Stars.

Angola were left to rue several missed opportunities, with Palancas Negras striker Manucho wasting a number of good chances to score.

But a young Ghana side, shorn of many of its established stars, will be proud of holding out against the hosts, even if they were grateful to Manucho's profligacy as they set up a last-four clash with Zambia or Nigeria.

They will, however, face a worry over the fitness of match-winner Gyan, after the striker had to be substituted midway through the second half clutching the back of his right thigh.

Angola misfortune in front of goal was on show as early as the 29th minute when Manucho's header from a Flavio cross looked goal-bound, only for Ghana keeper Richard Kingson to make a fantastic save.

The Palancas Negras were then awarded an indirect free kick deep inside the penalty area when keeper Kingson held on to the ball for too long, but Manucho could only shoot high over the bar.

606: DEBATE Pretty dire match, truth be heard. Ghana never looked in trouble until the very end, and even then they were comfortable BulletMonkey

And the Real Valladolid striker endured another woeful miss just eight minutes later.

This time, after Kingson had saved Flavio's attempt on goal, Manucho blasted over the bar with the goal gaping and the keeper stranded on the floor.

Manucho continued the trend in the second half, heading high over the bar from a Job cross in the 72nd minute.

Finally, in injury time, Kali looked certain to score when Kingson dashed out of his goal and tripped over, but Isaac Vorsah cleared to maintain Ghana's advantage.

The Black Stars struggled to get through the Angola back line in their quest for a second goal.

Palancas Negras goalkeeper Carlos Fernandes saved a long-range shot from Kwadwo Asamoah late in the game.

The Black Stars were put under intense by the hosts late on and had to endure nearly six minutes of added injury time, but they held on to secure their progress.

Angola: Carlos Alberto, Kali, Marques, Zuela (Guilherme 76), Mabina, Stelvio Cruz (Job 57), Xara, Djalma, Gilberto (Ze Kalanga 73), Manucho, Flavio.

Subs Not Used: Alegre, Caires, Dede, Jamuana, Johnson, Lama, Love, Magalhaes, Mantorras.

Booked: Mabina.

Ghana: Kingson, Addy, Inkoom, Sarpei, Vorsah, Agyemang-Badu, Andre Ayew (Rahim Ayew 90), Opoku, Asamoah, Draman (Addo 79), Gyan (Amoah 62).

Subs Not Used: Adiyah, Adjei, Afful, Annan, Essien, McCarthy, Mensah, Narry, Osei.

Booked: Andre Ayew, Amoah, Opoku.

Goals: Gyan 16.

Att: 22,000

Ref: Mohamed Benouza (Algeria).

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