Franceville, Feb 3, GNA - Coach Goran Stevanovic delegated his deputy Akwi Appiah to take charge of the mandatory post match conference in a move the international press described as one to swerve questions relating to the team's output after the game with Guinea. Stevanovic just after the game darted to the Stars waiting bus even before the players could converge at the dressing room to celebrate qualification to the next stage of the competition despite some jerky performance.

The Stars must have made it out of the group on seven points but their credentials of winning the trophy Stevanovic promised to deliver to the nation after a 30- year wait was largely tested by Guinea.

When the darting Serb ran into GNA Sports, he expressed satisfaction with the results though he was the first to admit that the team did not play attractively”.

“We did not play attractive football today. It was a very tough game because Guinea wanted six points to qualify so they came after the boys very strongly.

“It was a very nervous game and we took the lead and was on cause to win but the equaliser came. I am satisfied with the performance of the players because the most important thing was to qualify”. He reasoned.

“We did not show much ambition and it is as the result of the opposition. They are a very good side. All we wanted was to qualify so we will go on from here.” Stevanovic stated.

The Stars were made to sweat even with numerical advantage to stay on top of Group D with seven points and set up a meeting with Tunisia in the last eight stage, beginning at the weekend. Out of almost nothing, Ghana earned a corner 26 minutes on. Andre Ayew took a short one to Samuel Inkoom who started ahead of Sulley Muntari squared on to advancing Emmanuel Agyeman Badu. Badu who had kept a close eye on Pascal Feindouno, darted to meet the pass, flicked one with his right and let one fly in a manner that zoom just by the face of giant Balde Dian Bobo and in the net for Ghana's opener in the 27 minutes. Ghana will next play Tunisia who finished second in group C behind Gabon in the quarters on Sunday.

By Veronica Commey, GNA correspondent in Franceville, Gabon, courtesy, Ministry of Youth and Sports