Mark Gleeson BBC Sport, South Africa

Barreto aiming for first success with Ghana

Pimpong, who plays for FC Midtjylland, gave the Black Meteors a 2-1 Group D qualifying win over South Africa in Mamelodi in the outskirts of Pretoria on Saturday.

But Ghana have ceded top place in the group to Zambia, who beat Algeria 4-2 in Kitwe and now lead the group on the number of goals scored.

This win allows us now to dream the Olympic dream Ghana coach Mariano Barreto

Zamba travel to Ghana for their final qualifier on 27 March and will need just a draw to go through, while Ghana must win to take top place in the group and one of the four berths reserved for Africa at the tournament.

A defensive mix-up allowed Pimpong to score the opening goal just after half-time but Ghana's lead lasted just nine minutes before Benedict Vilakazi hammered home an equaliser.

The South African captain blasted the ball from outside the area past Ghana's goalkeeper.

But the strength of Pimpong proved telling 17 minutes from time when he shrugged off a defender to drive a powerful left-footed shot in for the winner.

"This win allows us now to dream the Olympic dream," said Ghana's Portuguese coach Mariano Barreto after the match.