Ghana end fairy-tale Cape Verde run in Africa Cup

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AFP) –

Ghana’s players celebrate their victory at the end of the African Cup of Nation 2013 quarter final football match against Cape Verde, on February 2, 2013 in Port Elizabeth. Ghana won 2-0.

Ghana halted the fairy-tale run of debutants Cape Verde in the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 quarter-final win Saturday.

Victory set up the Black Stars for a February 6 semi-final clash with the winners of Sunday’s fixture between Burkina Faso and Togo in Nelspruit.

Substitute Mubarak Wakaso gave Ghana the lead in the 54th minute when he fired home a penalty after skipper Asamoah Gyan was fouled inside the box by Carlitos.

Wakaso doubled Ghana’s advantage in stoppage time when he ran half the length of the pitch to slot home after Cape Verde committed every player, including goalkeeper Vozinha, upfield for a corner.

“Our first half was okay, but second half was not one of our best games,” admitted Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah.

“Cape Verde dominated in the second half, but the important thing is that we won and are through to the semi-finals. Cape Verde proved me right that they would be tough.”

Ghana’s midfielder Mubarak Wakaso (foreground) scores a penalty during their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final football match against Cap Verde, on February 2, 2013 in Port Elizabeth. Ghana halted the fairy-tale run of debutants Cape Verde in the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 quarter-final win.

Blue Sharks coach Luis Antunes said: “Today, we all watched a beautiful game but, unfortunately, the best team is going home and the tournament will lose its shine.

“This was our fourth game and in our first three games there were no questions — now there are questions. You should draw your own conclusions.

“They would want to see Ghana move into the semi-finals or do you want 200 spectators to watch Cape Verde against Togo in the semi-finals?”

Antunes was, presumably, referring to some debatable decisions by the Mauritian referee, although big-screen replays seemed to confirm that the spot-kick call was correct.

Wakaso’s opening goal ignited the clash and in the 59th minute Ghana goalkeeper Fatawu Dauda denied Platini as he parried a goal-bound effort for a corner.

Cape Verde, who eliminated mighty Cameroon to reach the Nations Cup for the first time, pressed for an equaliser.

In the 82nd minute, Dauda pulled off the best save of the match when he dived full length to scramble away a goal-bound shot by substitute Djaniny.

Wakaso would have made the game safe for Ghana in the 85th minute, when he broke clear, but blasted his shot wide.

Ghana’s midfielder Christian Atsu (R) clashes with Cape Verde’s defender Carlitos during the African Cup of Nation 2013 quarter final football match on February 2, 2013 in Port Elizabeth. Ghana won 2-0.

And in the 90th minute, Emmanuel Agyeman Badu was denied inside the Cape Verde box by desperate defending after Solomon Asante delivered a low cross from the right.

Man-of-the-match Dauda pulled off yet another top-class save when he scrambled to safety a last-ditch attempt by the Blue Sharks in additional time.

Ghana attacked from the onset, but it was the west African islanders who created the clearcut chances in the first half as the Black Stars found it difficult to get behind their defence.

Babanco fired from distance at the Ghana goal after just seven minutes, but missed the target as Cape Verde gradually got going with Ryan Mendes spearheading the attacking forays of the Blue Sharks.

In the 14th minute, Heldon could have given Cape Verde the lead, but blasted his shot from inside the box into the stand.

Minutes later, Dauda was forced to punch clear as Cape Verde swung a long, hopeful ball into the Ghana goal area.

Heldon, the match-winner against Angola in the final group match, again took off on a solo run in the 22nd minute, but his end-product missed the mark as the Blue Sharks began to enjoy more of the ball.

Dauda came to the rescue of the Black Stars in the 29th minute when he went down to gather a low drive delivered into the area as Cape Verde gained in confidence and surged forward.