Sports News of Sunday, 26 January 2014

Source: Soccer-Laduma

Ghana To Meet Nigeria In Semi-Finals

A penalty by Kwabena Adusei was enough to earn Ghana a 1-0 win over the DR Congo at Free State Stadium and book a semi-final date up against Nigeria.

Yahaya Mohammed found space in the box and had the first shot at goal of the game in the fifth minute, unfortunately the striker could only drag his effort wide of the target.

Ghana then came close once more, this time Theophilus Anobaah produced some fancy footwork to work his way through the DR Congo defence but he is effort is well blocked in the 26th minute.

The Leopards then started to pile pressure on the Black Stars defence and Lema Mabidi fires from 25 yards but his shot was high and handsome with just over a half-hour played at the Free State Stadium.

The Black Stars goalkeeper Stephen Adams then kept his side on level terms pulling off a brilliant save from striker Jean-Marc Makusu Mundele in the 39th minute.

Kwabena Adusei then had the final chance of the first-half after he did well to bring down a free-kick in the box but he fired his effort just over the crossbar.

Maxwell Konadu's men then finally broke the deadlock when they were awarded a penalty for handball with 66 minutes on the clock that Kwabena Adusei slotted calmly past Robert Kidiaba.

Seidu Bancey almost doubled the Black Stars lead in the 70th minute but his low shot was well saved by Kidiaba.

Yahaya should have put the result beyond doubt when the striker was put one on one with the keeper but he fired his shot straight at the DR Congo shot-stopper in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Ghana held on to secure their narrow win and book a date in the semi-finals against Nigeria next.

Here’s how they started:

Ghana XI: Adams, Ainooson, Tijani, Nuru, Adusei, Akuffu, Mpong, Opoku, Bancey, Yahaya, Anobaah

DR Congo XI: Kidiaba, Kasusula, Kimwaki, Ebunga, Ungenda, Bangala, Lusadisu, Mabidi, Mubele, Mbidi, Makusu

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