Prem duo inspire Ghana

Monday 28 January 2008 19:24, UK

Ghana booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over Morocco.

Hosts through to last eight

Ghana booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over Morocco. The victory made it three wins out of win in Group A for the hosts. First half goals from Chelsea star Michael Essien and Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari proved to be enough for the home side. Essien broke the deadlock on 26 minutes when he got on the end of a clever free kick from Muntari and volleyed home. Ghana doubled their lead right on the stroke of half-time when Essien burst from midfield and played in Muntari who saw his shot squirm under goalkeeper Nadir Lamyaghri and into the net. Lamyaghri denied Ghana adding to the scoreline in the second half with some superb saves. Asamoah Gyan should have scored when Junior Agogo picked him out unmarked inside the box 16 minutes from time only for Lamyaghri to produce an acrobatic save to keep out the forward's close-range header. The impressive Essien went close to netting his second goal of the contest soon after, but Lamyaghri tipped his long-range effort over the crossbar. The defeat ends Morocco's particpation in the finals, while Ghana will face whoever finishes second in Group B.