Ghana Through To Semi Finals

... No Essien, No Muntari, No Mensah, No Paintsil, No Appiah, No Laryea Kingston nor Anthony Annan ... No Problem
LUANDA (AFP) – Ghana destroyed Angola's Africa Cup of Nations dream with a 1-0 quarter-final win over the hosts here on Sunday to keep them on course for a fifth title.

Asamoah Gyan's first half goal put the Black Stars into the semi-finals where they will face the winner of Monday's match in Lubango between Zambia and Nigeria.

As a severely depleted Ghana side marched on in search of their first continental crown in 28 years Angola rued not putting away a number of clear cut chances, not least Manucho's shot over the woodwork approaching the interval. Angola made two changes from the side that qualified for the last eight with a goalless draw against Algeria - defender Stelvio returning from suspension and three-goal hero Flavio back from injury to join Manucho up front.

Ghana, missing a raft of star players including Michael Essien, made one alteration from their last run out, Mathew Amoah making way for Qatar-based midfielder Opoku Agyemang.

A minute's silence for the victims of the Haiti earthquake preceded this first ever competitive meeting between the two west African states.

Angola's president, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, sporting the team scarf, eased into his seat just in time to watch Ghana's Andre Ayew booked in the opening seconds for a foul on Mabina.

With the stakes high an understandably nervy opening saw Ghana defender Lee Addy twice inadvertently try to lob his own keeper, captain Richard Kingson. On 16 minutes the 50,000 largely partisan crowd fell silent as Udinese's Kwadwo Asamoah conjured up a neat pass to release Gyan down the right, the Rennes striker racing by Angola skipper Kali to shoot past keeper Carlos Fernandes. This was the first time in the competition that Angola had fallen behind and only a fine goalline save from Kingson denied them an equaliser on the half hour.

The danger arose when Flavio zipped down the right, crossing for Manucho to head home with the Wigan stopper blocking the ball with his body.

Gyan had a second goal disallowed on 33 minutes when Algerian referee Mohammed Benouza hauled him up for offside.

The Flavio-Manucho show should have produced a goal a minute from the break, but Kingson's reflex save from close range and Manucho's poor miscue over the woodwork saved Ghana.

Angola coach Manuel Jose went into the interval scratching his head and fans listened dubiously as from the stadium speakers the Black Eyed Peas' claimed that 'tonight was going to be a good night'.

Angola midfielder Job got a warm welcome when he came on for Stelvio before the hour and his cross from the right shortly after his entrance almost led to the leveller but Manucho's header from in front of goal went high.

Angola had virtually all the possession in the second half and were putting together some slick attacking moves down both flanks yet Ghana's impressive backline held firm time and time again.

Deep in injury time Kali had only Kingson to beat but he failed to make proper contact and the loose ball, slithering towards goal, was cleared by Hoffenheim defender Isaac Vorsah.

Summary

Angola 0 Ghana 1 - African Nations Cup quarter-final halftime score:
At the November 11th Stadium:
Scorer: Asamoah Gyan 16

Ghana: 22-Richard Kingson; 12-Lee Addy, 7-Samuel Inkoom, 2-Hans Sarpei, 15-Isaac Vorsah; 19-Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, 13-Dede Ayew/I. Ayew, 9-Agyemang Opoku, 10-Kwadwo Asamoah, 23-Haminu Dramani/E. Addo; 3-Asamoah Gyan/M Amoah

Angola: 13-Carlos Fernandes; 5-Kali, 15-Rui Marques, 10-Zuela; 21-Mabina, 20-Stelvio, 8-Xara, 14-Djalma, 11-Gilberto; 23-Manucho, 16-Flavio

Referee: Mohamed Benouza (Algeria)