AFCON 2015: Ghana reach final after crowd troubled semis victory over hosts Equatorial Guinea

Ghana booked its place in the finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations with a comprehensive 3-0 win over hosts Equatorial Guinea in a troubled game on Thursday.

Goals from Jordan Ayew, Mubarak Wakaso and Andre Ayew secured the win for the Black Stars in the game that had to be held up for over 30 minutes due to crowd trouble.

Avram Grant’s men however, somehow managed to finish the game oozing class expected of the Black Stars.

Ghana dominated most parts of the opening moments of the game but struggled to fashion out clear cut goalscoring opportunities – especially with the two set pieces they got under four minutes.

Equatorial Guinea got the first real sniff at goal when Afriyie Acquah failed to convincingly clear and Enrique Senobua cross.

Star man Javier Balboa’s final connection however lacked the quality required to beat Ghana goalkeeper Razak Braimah.

Andre Ayew shook off his marker in the 9^th minute but his attempt to square the ball was cut out for a corner.

Jonathan Mensah who had stormed from his defensive area for the set piece disappointed after rising to meet the ball unchallenged.

Mubarak Wakaso was then booked in the 18^th minute for a harmless tackle as he attempts to retrieve a ball.

Tensions were clearly rising with the Equato-Guineans mostly the complainants.

Ivan Salvador failed to make a connection to Balboa’s resultant free kick after sneaking in at the far post.

The Nzalang Nacional were clearly gaining confidence but kept their cautious approach to the game – not willing to fully commit into attack.

The got a scare in the 21^st minute when Christian Atsu played Kwesi Appiah clean on goal but goalkeeper Felipe Ovono Ovono raced out quickly to kill the danger.

Atsu returned in the 30^th minute to hunt again when he found Mubarak Wakaso in space on the edge of the Equato-Guineans penalty area.

But the midfielder drove his final shot too wide to spurn the chance.

Daniel Vazquez was then booked in the 37^th minute for a foul on Jordan Ayew who had won a race for the ball and was looking dangerous.

Ghana got its grand opportunity to take the lead after Kwesi Appiah had been brought down by goalkeeper Ovono in the 41^st minute.

Gabonese referee Eric Otogo Castane who has been in the spotlight ever since he was appointed had no choice but to point to the spot for a penalty kick.

Jordan Ayew stepped up to slot home the opener – displacing Ovono in the process.

Harrison Afful was then booked after an intense protest from the Equato-Guineans for a totally harmless challenge with a minute to end the half.

The Nzalang Nacional were awarded a free kick deep into the Ghana half which they failed to make good use of and paid dearly for it also.

The Black Stars broke out in a swift counterattack with the pacey Christian Atsu leading the charge.

The on loan Chelsea youngster at Everton raced into his opponent’s penalty area and squared nicely for Mubarak Wakaso who took a touch to set the ball up properly before delivering his strike to double Ghana’s lead.

Referee Castane blasted his whistle for the end of the half immediately after the restart but the Black Stars were held up on the pitch for a while as the frustrated home fans threw missiles aimed at Avram Grant’s men as they made their way to the dressing room.

Ghana started the second half with more purpose and threatened through Jordan Ayew three minutes after.

But the Lorient man was stopped in his tracks Fernando Gomez.

Ghana almost scored again through another swift counter with Christian Atsu again the outlet.

But Wakaso’s final ball was not well read by Kwesi Appiah for Ovono to make a comfortable grab.

Andre Ayew should definitely had made it three in the 55^th minute after Jonathan Mensah had squared his header nicely.

But the Olympique Marseille man’s intended deft header went wide.

Equatorial Guinea attempted to hit back a minute later but Ivan Salvador dragged his shot from just inside the Ghana penalty area wide.

Ovono then saved with his shin in a one-on-one situation with Kwesi Appiah.

Equatorial Guinea coach Esteban Becker then threw on Raul Bosio for Daniel Vazquez in the 58^th minute to demonstrate his intent to attack.

The Black Stars were simply a delight to watch as they started putting together a strings of purposeful short passes – leaving the hosts with no choice but to foul and complaint about every decision awarded against them.

Andre Ayew was booked in the 66^th minute for a foul on Senobua.

Afriye Acquah and Salvador were both booked for getting into a heated exchange.

The temperamental Salvador was then withdrawn for Armando Aqueriaco in the 73^rd minute.

Andre Ayew then put the result beyond doubt after coolly tapping in from close range in the 75^th minute after Kwesi Appiah had laid it on the plate.

Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu then replaced Mubarak Wakaso before play was resumed.

The game was severally interrupted by fouls and missiles hurled from the stands as Ghana kept their cool towards the finish line.

Esteban Becker then brought on Pablo Comitre for Ivan Esono for the remaining eight minutes.

The game was then held for over 30 minutes due to crowd trouble which warranted movement of the Ghanaian fans through hurled missiles to safety.

The game continues after some calm had been restored with Ghana still the domineering force.

Frank Acheampong replaced Andre Ayew for the final minutes of the game.