<<Print>>

The senior national team, Black Stars, on Monday trashed Niger by three goals to nil to sit on top of Group B in the on-going African Cup of Nations in South Africa. The Stars started the match on a very high tempo when skipper for the side Asamoah Gyan controlled a measured pass in the Nigeriens eighteen yard box from Albert Adomah�s and slammed the ball into the net as early as the 6th minute. Right after, Niger managed to mount pressure on the Stars and succeeded in putting the ball in the back of the net. The goal was disallowed by the referee for an infringement on the Ghanaian goalie, Fatau Dauda. Many fanatics will believe this has been the most impressive performance from the Black Stars since the commencement of the on-going Africa Cup of nation in South Africa. Midway into the game, it was clear the Black Stars were on top and it came as no surprise when dimuinitive Christian Atsu, neatly chested an Asamoah Gyan cross in the penalty area and poke in to give Ghana a two goal advantage in the 23rd minute. A couple of minutes before the break, Kassaly was called upon to make a sharp save at his near post from a low shot by Udinese man Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, after an impressive wing move by Christian Atsu. The halftime whistle saw Ghana 2-0 up and well in control of the match. It took the four-time AFCON champions just four minutes into the second half to make the score 3-0. Asamoah Gyan was again at the heart of the goal, heading on target from a free kick by Kwadwo Asamoah� Kassaly couldn�t hold the ball and defender John Boye in the swept it home from close rangee. The Nigeriens despite been trashed put up an impressive performance in the second half but brilliant saves from Fatau Dauda prevented them from scoring. Solomon Asante, Derek Boateng and Emmanuel Clottey came in to beef up Ghana�s chances of scoring. Ghana will not only be pleased with their best performance of the Nations Cup so far but also by the fact that they stay in Port Elizabeth for the quarter finals against Cape Verde on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela stadium. Congo DR and Mali also drew with a goal each. Mali thus advances to the quarter finals and with come face to face with host nation, South Africa.