The Black Stars of Ghana yesterday put up their strongest fight in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament only to lose 0-1 to the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

A quarter final clash at the Kumasi Sports Stadium, it was Siyabonga Nomvete?s 42nd minute header which clinched the deal to earn South Africa their second victory over Ghana in as many clashes.

For Black Stars, this was an emotional moment for the redemption of self esteem and national pride, badly bruised by a 0-2 loss to Cote d? Ivoire. And against a team that emerged the most powerful in Group B, ahead of Algeria, Congo DR and Gabon, the Stars knew that the often cited Ghanaian luck would not be enough to overcome the Bafana Bafana.

The pressure of public opinion appeared to have had some bearing on coach Guiseppe Dossena?s starting line up, introducing Yaw Preko on the right side of attack and pushing skipper C. K. Akunnor further up front. The only significant change on the South African side was reserve goalkeeper Andre Arendse, a hero of Bafana?s 1996 victory over the Black Stars who took from number one ?keeper Hans Vonk. Spreading their game to the left, Helman Mkhalele twice obliged Samuel Osei Kuffour to some courageous diving headers in the 22nd and 24th minutes to tidy up the Ghanaian goal area. South Africa?s finest chance came in the 31st minute when leading marksman Shaun Bartlett put Siyabonga Nomvete through but the great chance was blown away.

The motion was re-enacted in the 42nd minute when Bartlett, this time from the right, crossed for the unmarked Kaiser Chiefs striker to head over Ghanaian goalie Richard Kingston. On resumption, Peter Ofori Quaye replaced Otto Addo, who had a difficult first half, and within three minutes, Eric Tinkler was red-carded for a second bookable offence on Kwame Ayew. From the resultant kick, Kuffour, the Bayern Munich defender, joined the Ghanaian attack with a header that powered off the cross bar and a scissor to which keeper Andre Arendse rose to block. Arendse was up to it again to parry off Kwame Ayew?s shot to the rebound. Their strength severely undermined by Tinkler?s misfortune, the Bafana withdrew deep into defence, as the Black Stars surged into a relentless offensive play. Ghana committed more to attack when Stephen Appiah took over from C. K. Akunnor and Ohene Kennedy came on for Emmanuel Kuffour. but the intense pressure mounted could not yield the equaliser till the referee?s final whistle.