Ghana’s Black Stars have secured a place in the next round of the 2019 African Cup of Nations after a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday.
Goals from Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey helped the Stars remain unbeaten in the tournament and finish top of Group F.
Despite being widely expected to be a walkover for the Black Stars, the match with Burkina Faso was anything but, at least in the first half as Guinea-Bissau started as the better side.
Thomas Partey, who has struggled all tournament, yet again found himself in a bit of bother as he gave the ball away in the middle of the pitch and was beaten for pace.
Joseph Aidoo made a clumsy tackle on the onrushing Guinean in the box but the referee waved away the penalty appeals.
With the Black Stars struggling to keep the ball early on, the Guineans threatened and almost took the lead as Brito e Silva’s powerful bending shot was pushed onto the bar by Richard Ofori.
Having survived the early scares, the Black Stars grew into the half and created a number of good chances, the best falling to Jordan Ayew who put through on goal and hit the post.
The rebound from Andre Ayew was blocked by the Guinean defence.
Some good work from Samuel Owusu down the right saw him work in a good cross which found Kwabena Owusu unmarked in the box but he headed wide.
Thomas Partey then had a long-range drive scrambled out by the keeper as the Black Stars ended the half strongly.
It must have been some team talk from Kwesi Appiah at half-time as the Black Stars came out firing.
Jordan Ayew ran onto a long pass forward, beat his marker easily and bent a delightful finish into the top corner.
He almost got on the end of another long pass but was adjudged to have fouled the defender this time.
Guinea-Bissau almost equalised but a shot from outside the box hit the post.
They hit the woodwork again direct from a corner before Mendes’ effort was palmed away by the impressive Richard Ofori.
Ghana then secured all three points and with it, qualification, as Andre Ayew played in Baba Rahman, whose cutback was turned home by Partey.
Jordan Ayew hit the post again for good measure with Guinea-Bissau failing to threaten for the rest of the game, exiting the tournament without a goal.
With Cameroon and Benin drawing 0-0 in the other game in the group, the Black Stars topped the group having scored more goals than the Indomitable Lions.
Ghana avoid an all West African meeting with Nigeria and will now face Tunisia who were runners-up of Group E while Cameroon go on to have a showdown with the Super Eagles.
Story updated to reflect that Ghana will face Tunisia in the next round