Gyan, Badu inspire Ghana to home win

Competition: 2012 African Nations Cup Qualifier

Teams: Ghana 2-0 Swaziland

Venue: Accra Sports Stadium - Accra

Date: September 2, 2011

Ghana take a giant stride to reaching the finals of the 2012 African Nations Cup after sealing a 2-0 victory over Swaziland.

Asamoah Gyan and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu inspired the Black Stars to the win on Friday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The win sees Ghana open a three-point lead at the top in Group I and ahead of second-placed Sudan, who are away to Congo on Sunday.

Gyan, who was returning from a three-game suspension headed in the opening goal in the 9th minute from a lob into the box by Dominic Adiyiah for his 27th goal for his country.

The crowd, very expectant roared to greet the opening goal but had to wait until the 77th minute before Agyemang-Badu doubled Ghana's lead when he let go a shot from outside the box after substitute, Tagoe, who had a goal ruled out for an offside, had laid the ball into his path.

The Black Stars after Gyan's goal rather had a quiet evening despite dominating play.

Gyan did find his scoring touch was unable to complete the opening half when he was pulled out for Prince Tagoe after picking up a knock.

Goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey, who was making his Ghana debut was only tested in the 44th minute when Thembacelcoco Mmema got Swaziland's first shot on target from about 30 yards.

Giningza, in post for the Swazis saved twice from a Tagoe shot before tipping a freekick from Sulley Muntari round the post as Ghana hanged onto their slim lead.

Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic took off Muntari for Kwadwo Asamoah in the second half before exhausting his changes with the introduction of Samuel Inkoom for Andre Ayew.

Asamoah hit the post as Ghana enjoyed comfortable position and probed for more goals with great work coming from Derek Boateng in midfield and an assured defensive display from captain John Paintsil, Daniel Opare, Jonathan Mensah and Isaac Vorsah.

The Black Stars would play their last game in the qualifying campaign away to Congo later in October for a place in the finals of the competition next year to be co-hosted by Gabon-Equatorial Guinea.

Ghana line up: Adam Kwarasey, John Paintsil, Daniel Opare, Jonathan Mensah, Isaac Vorsah, Derek Boateng, Andre Ayew/Samuel Inkoom, Emmanuel Agyeman-Badu, Asamoah Gyan/Prince Tagoe, Dominic Adiyiah, Sulley Muntari/Kwadwo Asamoah

Reserves: Richard Kingson, Samuel Inkoom, Lee Addy, Kwadwo Asamoah, Anthony Annan, Prince Tagoe, Jordan Ayew