Ghana scrape into last eight

Ghana booked their place in the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso.

Black Stars book quarter-final spot

Ghana booked their place in the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Burkina Faso on Tuesday. Andre Ayew's solitary effort proved to be enough for the Black Stars as they secured second spot in Group B. Marseille midfielder Ayew profited from some woeful marking to head home after 30 minutes, while Burkina Faso's hopes of finding a route back into the game were extinguished shortly after the hour mark when Mamadou Tall was given his marching orders. Overall, though, it was a stuttering display by Ghana whose injury problems entering the match had worsened after Chelsea's Michael Essien was ruled out of the tournament. Burkina Faso needed only to draw after holding Ivory Coast in their first match, but Ghana had to win following their defeat to the Elephants to secure their progress. Ghana took the lead when a free-kick cleared to the right was sent back into the box finding Ayew unmarked, and the midfielder diverted his header downwards into the right-hand corner of the net. The Burkinabe were reduced to 10 men on 66 minutes after Tall was sent off following a challenge which left Asamoah Gyan clutching his face, although the decision appeared to be a harsh one.