Ghana secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Guinea to reach the semi-final of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and set up a clash with hosts Equatorial Guinea.
Goals from Christian Atsu, a brace, and Kwesi Appiah were enough for the Black Stars to see off the threat posed by Idrissa Sylla and Ibrahim Traore in Ghana’s third.
A brilliant start by the Syli National side almost opened the scoring earlier on only for Sylla to lose his composure on the vital moment.
A quick interchange of passes between debutant Appiah and Andre Ayew, set up the game’s opener for the onrushing Christian Atsu just four minutes in the game.
The lively Atsu then took the game to the Syli National on his own with some quick feet down the left flanks.
The Ghanaians were gradually taking control of the game thanks in no small part to the combative nature of Afriyie Aquah and Mubarak Wakaso.
The marauding Afful was at his usual self with some rampaging moves down the flanks. The Tunisian based Afful was sent tumbling by Kevin Constant, attracting the captain the game's first booking midway through the first half.
The physical nature of the Guineans began to show up, as Naby Yattara was booked moments later for hassling Christian Atsu 10 minutes later.
A brilliant move down the left flank by the elusive Atsu set up Asamoah Gyan for the game’s second, only for the Ghanaian captain to place his angled shot centimeters wide.
Then some poor defending at the back by Baisamah Sankoh directed the ball towards the onrushing Appiah. The on-loan Crystal Place striker kept his composure and slid the ball under Yattara for his first-ever competitive international goal with the black stars.
The second half started frantically as Guinea went in search of their morale boosting opening goal, only to face a human wall at the back of the Ghanaian defending half.
A quick counter down the right flank resulted in a free kick for the nationals, which was duly wasted by the skillful Traore on the 59th minute.
The game was killed off on the hour mark, as Atsu’s class from the left flank sent goalkeeper Nabi Yattara flying aimlessly in the air.
A neat first touch by the Everton man was followed by a sweet angled shot in the 60th minute to make to make it 3-0.
The ineffective Kelvin Constant was replaced with Nabi Keita in their quest to get back into the game.
Some calamitous goal keeping by Razak Brimah went unpunished as Conte chose to blaze high and wide with goal at his mercy.
The tempo of the match was slowed down by the Ghanaians as they wind down the clock, with 15 minutes remaining.
The replacement of Atsu with Frank Acheampong was met with deafening noise from the crowd.
The Black Stars were on course for their 5th consecutive semi finals as the game lost its competitive edge.
Avram Grant replaced Afriyie Aquah with Mohammed Rabiu with five minutes remaining.
Another cross-field pass from Ayew sent Gyan through on goal, only to be sent tumbling by the on rushing Yattara deep into injury time.
He was correctly sent off for been the last man as Andre Ayew sent the resultant kick wide off the post.
Ghana will meet the host nation Equatorial Guinea in the second semi final on Thursday.