Kumasi June 4, GNA - Ghana's Senior Team, the Black Stars beat the= Red Devils of Congo 3-1 in the second leg of their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations match played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Friday. The Stars who had a 3-0 emphatic win over their counterparts in the first leg of the group stage three months ago in Brazzaville have thus chalked a 6-1 goal aggregate over their opponents who at least put up a spirited effort thn the first encounter.

The showdown started with a downpour when Algerian Referee, Haimoudi Jamal whistled for Ghana to take kick off but the Congolese quickly took over and had a corner kick in the second minute but wasted the chance that came their way.

The visitors continued to pile pressure but the Ghanaian side quickly turned the table in their favour and in a counter, Michael Essien's 40-metre thunderbolt of a shot was pushed forward by the Congolese goalkeeper, Massa Monkola but Prince Tagoe who was on the spot failed to put the ball into th= e empty net in the ninth minute.

The Stars from this stage improved their rhythm and in the 17th minute= , Agyeman Badu in an attempt to score was brought down by the Congolese captain, Abdoulaye Bruce, to be shown a yellow card but the resultant free kick just outside the penalty box was wasted.

The Stars who seemed less purposeful upfront messed up with several chances that came their way with a header from Sulley Muntari's corner ki= ck by Prince Tagoe sailing over the bar to end the uneventful first half goalless.

In the 49th minute, Congo's Aboudaye was shown the red card for a second bookable offence on Kwadwo Asamoah.

Black Stars scored their first goal in the 62nd minute through defence man Isaac Vorsah from Badu's corner kick after Muntari had hit the cross bar in the 50th minute.

With the opener, the Stars continued to pile pressure on their opponents and deservedly made it two in the 76th minute with another header from Prince Tagoe from substitute Dominic Adiyia's pass.

The Congolese nearly redeemed a goal two minutes later but a header from Nakita Fabby was saved by keeper Richard Kingson.

They, however, pulled a goal back in the 74th minute through Mousilou Massamba when he hit the back of the net from goalkeeper Kingson's blunder with an attempt to save a dangerous move from the Congolese attackers.

Badu made the victory certain for the Stars in the 77th minute when he pounced on a falt from a defender to quickly shoot into the net to make it 3-1 for the Stars.

Line-Up: Richard Kingson, John Paintsil, Daniel Opare, Isaac Vorsah, John Mensah, Agyemang Badu, Kevin Prince Boateng/Dominic Adiyah, Michael Essien/Derek Boateng, Prince Tagoe, Kwadwo Asamoah, Sulley Muntari/Dede Ayew.