Two goals from striker Jordan Ayew and forward Thomas Partey was enough for Ghana record a 2-0 win over Guinea Bissau on Tuesday at the Suez Stadium to seal through to the quarter-final stage of the competition.
Jordan Ayew brilliantly opened the scoring for the Black Stars just a minute after recess before Thomas Partey connected Baba Rahman’s fine pass to give Ghana a 2-0 lead in the 72nd minute.
The opener saw the Black Stars took control of the game dictating the pace as Djurtus as the Guineans are nicknamed laboured in search of their feet.
Ghana by virtue of the 2-0 win over Guinea Bissau atop Group F with five points after Cameroon drew goalless against Benin.
Coach Kwasi Appiah in attempt to at least maintain his 1-0 lead brought on Afriyie Acquah to replace Kwabena Owusu with Kwadwo Asamoah coming on for winger Samuel Owusu.
Thomas Partey was however replaced by Caleb Ansah Ekuban.
Three minutes past the hour mark, Ghana goalie Richard Ofori was to his side’s rescue with a superb save to deny Guinea Bissau captain Muhammad Cande, who unleashed a curler from a free-kick at the edge of the penalty area.
But the Black Stars responded in style eight minutes later when a three-man move involving Andre Ayew, Baba Abdul Rahman and Partey gave birth to the second goal. Ayew found Baba on the left, who cut in and Partey tapped home from close range to put them on the path of victory.
The younger Ayew nearly capped his day with the second but his effort hit the upright on 78 minutes despite Mendes beaten.
Ghana held on to victory to maintain their enviable record of going past the group stage at every edition since 2008.
More updates soon…
