Black Stars Cruise Through

28 January 2013

The Black Stars of Ghana eased their way into the quarter-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with an easy 3-0 win over Niger at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Monday.

The victory took Ghana to the top of Group B, and ensured that they will meet Cape Verde in the next round of the competition - following their surprise progress to the next round.

Ghana didn't take long to get things going as Albert Adomah picked out Asamoah Gyan and the striker tucked a low shot into the bottom corner.

Niger responded well and thought that they had levelled matter three minutes later but Issiaka Koudize's strike was ruled out after Moussa Maazou was adjudged to have fouled the goalkeeper in the build-up.

Ghana continued to look the stronger side though and youngster Chris Atsu made the most of his first start in the tournament when he latched onto a Gyan cross before stabbing in their second.

Daouda Kassaly had to make a sharp save to deny Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu before the break as the Black Stars held a 2-0 lead at the break.

The game was killed off four minutes into the second period when Gyan nodded at free-kick at goal. Kassaly couldn't hold onto the ball and John Boye gobbled up the rebound.

Niger tried to push forward as Ghana went into cruise control but they failed to trouble Fatau Dauda as the Black Stars eased to victory.

Standard Bank Moment of the Match: With the Black Stars in the lead, Chris Atsu showed great control to bring down a cross from the excellent Gyan and ensured that Ghana went into the break with a decent lead.