Essien leads way as Ghana progress with 100 per cent record

Published on Monday 28 January 2008 23:51

PREMIER League pair Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari scored as Ghana progressed to the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup as group winners following a 2-0 victory over Morocco.

The win means the hosts top the group with a 100 per cent record and they will be joined in the last eight by Guinea, who progressed despite an unimpressive 1-1 draw with Namibia in Sekondi. Chelsea midfielder Essien was the inspiration behind Ghana, driving the team forward and he put Ghana ahead after 26 minutes when he chipped in a free-kick.

Portsmouth's Muntari then doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time when he sent in a 15-yard shot at the near post.

In the other Group A match, Soulemayne Youla put Guinea ahead before Namibia drew level through Brian Brendell.

Youla had missed a clear chance in the first half but then slid the ball home from an acute angle in the 62nd minute to put his side ahead. However, Namibia levelled 10 minutes from time when Brendell was not closed down and his long-range shot took a couple of bounces on the bobbly pitch and into the net.

It meant Brendell has now scored both Namibia's goals in the tournament. The draw meant Guinea edged out Morocco by a point as they recovered from defeat in their first game to reach the last eight.

Mali will be out to cause an upset this evening when they face Ivory Coast in their Group B decider in Accra. Should they draw or win against the Elephants, they will go through and Berti Vogts' Nigeria, regardless of their result against Benin in Sekondi, will be knocked out of the tournament.