Two clinical finishes by Christian Atsu, and a personal historic strike by Kwasi Appiah saw the Black Stars of Ghana ease into the semi-finals of the ongoing African Cup of Nations 2015 at the expense of Guinea’s brawling Syli Nationale.
The Guineans appeared to map out their game with brawn and physique, charging at the Ghana end after kicking off the day’s first of two quarter final encounters.
But four minutes on and they were forced to slow down as Kwasi Appiah charged at the left with a blistering speed to lay a pass to Dede Ayew who, with his back towards his colleagues, simply back-heeled the ball into the path of the speeding Atsu who tapped in past a defender and a stranded Naby Yattara in the Guiniean goal.
That early upset pinned the Guineans in their own half, and they now approached the Ghanaians with much more caution, even if with steely action, for which they eventually paid dearly, picking up five yellow cards and an ultimate red for Naby.
The Black Stars would fetch their second goal with just a minute to end the first half, and it came per a golden opportunity that was graciously taken by Kwasi Appiah. Guinea defender Baissama Sankoh, under no pressure whatsoever, spilled an attempted clearance into the path of Kwasi Appiah who cheekily whipped it past a bewildered and charging Naby for a goal that left several of the Guinean players clutching their heads.
And then there was the final goal by Atsu in the 61st minute – one of class and sure to compete for honours at the tournament. The playmaker sped off with the ball on the right wing, chased down by two Guinean players. With the breaks of a goat, Atsu carefully changed direction, cutting back into the field and behind his pursuers before letting go a rifling shot that arced into the net, with goalkeeper Naby flattened on the floor from his efforts to prevent the goal. Well beaten, he could only manage to raise his head off the ground to see who it was that dealt him that stupendous damage.
Meanwhile Atsu and colleagues, Captain Asamoah Gyan in tow, were off to a corner of the pitch to engage in their usual goal dance.
But there was more trouble for Guinea as in a one-on-one situation, Naby Yattara lunged his boots into Asamoah Gyan’s mid-section and the referee wasted no second to flash the red. That was in the 90th minute and the resultant set-piece, wasted, ended the game.
The Black Stars next play hosts, Equatorial Guinea in a semi-final clash on Thursday, February 5.
