Accra, Jan. 24, GNA - Unimpressive Ghana managed a 1-0 win over Namibia in their second "Group A" game played at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra on Thursday.
The Black Stars, who struggled all through, had Junior Agogo to thank for the only goal that brightened their chance of qualifying to the next stage of the continental championship. Agogo tugged in a Quincy Owusu-Abeyie cross with a back heel from close range on 41 minutes.
Owusu-Abeyie darted into the box to receive a visionary pass from Michael Essien, who had profited from a failed attempt at goal by Asamoah Gyan.
With many expecting the hosts to spank Namibia, tagged by pundits as the weakest in the group, the South West Africans played with courage and held their own, minute after minute. The Brave Warriors, as the Namibians are called, proved far more organized defensively and managed to soak up lots of Ghanaian pressure. Ghana, yet to convince many about their title capabilities, stay at the pinnacle of "Group A" and will need only a draw to authenticate their place in the last eight of the competition that pieces Africa's best 16 together.
Namibia had only a few scaring opportunities, such as a 19th minute chance that yawned at them, but Brian Brendell shot wide from the edge of the penalty area. Ghana was no different in terms on squandered opportunities with Asamoah Gyan leading the pack in the comedy of errors in front of goal. Gyan, who scored the first goal of the tournament with a penalty against Guinea, had a gaping net ahead of him on 34 minutes as goalkeeper Mbaha Atiel slumped in the six yard box, but the Udinese of Italy striker shot over the bar from five yards. Ghana's search for another goal continued but it was Collins Benjamin, who nearly drew parity for Namibia on 75 minutes but he shot wide from a very advantageous position. THE LINE UP Ghana Richard Kingson, Hans Adu Sarpei, John Painstil, Eric Addo, John Mensah, Michael Essien, Laryea Kinston/Andre Ayew, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Asamoah Gyan/Baffour Gyan, Junior Agogo ans Sulley Muntari.Namibia Mbaha Attiel, Toromba Hartman, Gariseb Richard, Benjimin Collin,Risser Oliver Hanjorge, Plat Jies Sydney/Kaimbi Lazarus, Pieneer Elias Michael, Brendell Brain Guilbert, Bester Rudolf/Jacob Pineas and Ngatjizeko Jamunovamdu.
Accra, Jan. 24, GNA - Unimpressive Ghana managed a 1-0 win over Namibia in their second "Group A" game played at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra on Thursday.
The Black Stars, who struggled all through, had Junior Agogo to thank for the only goal that brightened their chance of qualifying to the next stage of the continental championship. Agogo tugged in a Quincy Owusu-Abeyie cross with a back heel from close range on 41 minutes.
Owusu-Abeyie darted into the box to receive a visionary pass from Michael Essien, who had profited from a failed attempt at goal by Asamoah Gyan.
With many expecting the hosts to spank Namibia, tagged by pundits as the weakest in the group, the South West Africans played with courage and held their own, minute after minute. The Brave Warriors, as the Namibians are called, proved far more organized defensively and managed to soak up lots of Ghanaian pressure. Ghana, yet to convince many about their title capabilities, stay at the pinnacle of "Group A" and will need only a draw to authenticate their place in the last eight of the competition that pieces Africa's best 16 together.
Namibia had only a few scaring opportunities, such as a 19th minute chance that yawned at them, but Brian Brendell shot wide from the edge of the penalty area. Ghana was no different in terms on squandered opportunities with Asamoah Gyan leading the pack in the comedy of errors in front of goal. Gyan, who scored the first goal of the tournament with a penalty against Guinea, had a gaping net ahead of him on 34 minutes as goalkeeper Mbaha Atiel slumped in the six yard box, but the Udinese of Italy striker shot over the bar from five yards. Ghana's search for another goal continued but it was Collins Benjamin, who nearly drew parity for Namibia on 75 minutes but he shot wide from a very advantageous position. THE LINE UP Ghana Richard Kingson, Hans Adu Sarpei, John Painstil, Eric Addo, John Mensah, Michael Essien, Laryea Kinston/Andre Ayew, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Asamoah Gyan/Baffour Gyan, Junior Agogo ans Sulley Muntari.Namibia Mbaha Attiel, Toromba Hartman, Gariseb Richard, Benjimin Collin,Risser Oliver Hanjorge, Plat Jies Sydney/Kaimbi Lazarus, Pieneer Elias Michael, Brendell Brain Guilbert, Bester Rudolf/Jacob Pineas and Ngatjizeko Jamunovamdu.
