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Africa cup encounter
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Ghana 2 - Guinea 1
Accra, Jan. 20, Ghanadot/GNA -
Midfielder Sulley Ali Muntari set Ghana's campaign for a
fifth continental glory on a smooth path when he delivered a
"super strike" in the 89th minute to secure a 2-1 victory
over Guinea in the opening match of the 26th Africa Cup of
Nations at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, Accra.
The strike threw the entire stadium into wild jubilation
after the partisan crowd had sat on thorns for almost 30
minutes following the cancellation of Asamoah Gyan's opener.
It was a game the Stars should have sealed victory before
the close of the first half but failed following the
inability of Gyan and Junior Agogo to convert some decent
scoring chances that came their way.
Aside the near misses, the Stars were also denied an early
lead on two occasions by the upright as Agogo and Micheal
Essien watched in agony as their headers hit it in the 18th
and 27th minutes, respectively.
Poised to make amends on resumption, the Stars ensured their
efforts were rewarded with a penalty in the 53rd minute when
Agogo was brought down in the vital area.
Gyan made no mistake by shooting into the roof of the net
for the opener with a thunderbolt of a shot that the Guinean
Goalie had no answer to.
The jubilations was rather short-lived as the Guineans
capitalized on a melee created in the Stars defence to fetch
the equalizer through Oumar Kalabene in the 66th minute from
a corner kick.
Gingered by the equalizer, the Guineans found their rhythm
and made serious incursions into the Stars area but the
Ghanaian defence stood firm and dealt with the situation
effectively.
Determined to please the partisan home crowd with victory,
the Stars never relented in their efforts to find the match
winner and this nearly materialised in the 76th minute but
substitute Andre Ayew's connection to Laryea Kingston's
cross was given a perfect treat by the agile Guinean Goalie.
As the game moved closer to the latter stages, it was
evident that both sides were heading for a draw, but Muntari
ensured victory for the Stars with his super strike to end
the day on a high note for the home team.
Line Up:
GHANA
Richard Kingston, Hans Adu sarpei, John Painstil, Eric Addo,
John Mensah, Micheal Essien, Laryea Kingston, Asamoah Gyan/Baffour
Gyan, Junior Agogo, Sulley Muntari, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie/Andre
Ayew
GUINEA
Camara Kemoko, Feenoudou Pascal, Balde Dian Bobo, Correira
Victor, Sylla Kanfory, Ishmeal Bangoura, Youla Souleyman,
Camara Alsensy, Sakho Mohamed, Kalabane Oumar, Jabi Dauda.
GNA
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