Ghana first to book place at 2013 South Africa AFCON finals - Orange CAN 2013 2013

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Ghana first to book place at 2013 South Africa AFCON finals

10-13-2012

Ghana first to book place at 2013 South Africa AFCON finals

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The Black Stars of Ghana have qualified for the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa on a 3-0 aggregate score after beating Malawi 1-0 at Civo Stadium, Lilongwe on Saturday. The visitors needed only three minutes to score through Afriyea Acquah’s close range shot from a good cross by Dede Ayew from the right flank.

The Flames, who lost 2-0 in the first leg in Accra, reacted late as Acquah raced clear to fire past Malawi goalkeeper Simplex Nthala. The packed 15, 000-seater stadium went quite.

The host Malawi took long to settle down. Malawi gave a start to teenage sensation Gabadinho Mhango who played upfront with veteran Esau Kanyenda. The Fames could not fashion clear cut chances as Ghana soaked up the pressure . Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu was a constant threat to Malawi, troubling the hosts with his probing runs.

Malawi kept fighting and searching and when Kanyenda limped off with what seemed a harm-string injury the writing was on the wall for the hosts. The Malawi come back did not materialize for the Flames and Ghana remained efficient and solid right to the final whistle and became the first side to qualify for 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations to be played in South Africa.

It was tough - Ghana coach Appiah

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has admitted that his charges had a tough time even though they beat Malawi 1-0 at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe to qualify on 3-0 aggregate for the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations finals. “Malawi is a good team. We knew that it would be tough but our experience proved the difference. We have a squad which can rise up to the occasion and deliver the goods. We now have to focus on the finals as we want to win the Nations Cup,”

Malawi Flames coach not losing hope- coach Phiri

Malawi’s Flames coach Kinnah Phiri wore a brave face after his side lost 1-0 to Ghana to bow out of the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations finals 3-0 on aggregate. After the match Phiri told Cafonline that “Malawi is using young players who are still learning. We have to be patient and not lose hope. The team that qualified for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations is different from this side .Seventy-five ( 75 ) per cent of the squad is new. We have lost to a better team. Good luck to Ghana”

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