Atsu stars as classy Black Stars see off Guinea for semis

The Black Stars of Ghana underlined their intent for a first AFCON trophy in 33 years by walking over Guinea to book their fifth consecutive AFCON semi-final.

Christian Atsu scored a brace, one of which would contend for a goal of the tournament with debutant Kwesi Appiah scoring his first AFCON goal thanks to horrendous defending.

And it could have been more. In a high-octane encounter punctuated with skill, pace and a flare of emotions at some points,  the Guineans were absolutely out-classed and emasculated by a superior Ghana side who were on rampage for 90 minutes.

Guinean goal keeper Yattara was red carded late in the game for a horrendous career threatening lunge on Asamoah Gyan to sum up a frustrating night for the Sylli Nationale.

But it was Christian Atsu who sold a man of the match performance with a cracking start when he knocked home a cheeky Dede Ayew back heel in the 4th minute.

Kwasi Appiah began the attack from the left with an inch-perfect pass to Dede Ayew and with that audacious back heel from the Marseille man, Christian Atsu was left with only a tap-in and he did that without mistake.

It was a flying start to a hollywood encounter and the Stars never took their foot off the pedal.

With a great work ethic from Mubarak Wakaso and Afriyie Acquah in midfield the Guinean lynchpin in Ibrahim Traore was completely neutralised.

The Guineans lacked the skill to break a Ghana defence which had Jonathan Mensah and John Boye playing with such telepathy.

Gyan who had become a victim of the Guineans' cynical attacks was presented a glorious opportunity to increase the tally in the 35th minute but his shot was too feeble.

He controlled Kwesi Appiah's immaculate pass with  such dexterity but his final delivery let him down.

Six minutes later Kwasi Appiah will make up for Asamoah Gyan's miss and he had a horrendous piece of defending to thank for.

The Cambridge United striker was gifted a horrible back pass and he made no mistake with his cool finish on the stroke of half time.

The Stars were in cloud nine and were in no mood to allow a Guinea come back.

They started the second half the same way they ended the first and it was Christian Atsu once again who set the stadium alive with stunning little curl from 30 yard to beat Yattara in post.

The Everton man had trapped the ball on the right, cut in, before curling a long one which arched into the post for his second and Ghana's third.

The Guineans were down but not out. They had to fight.

Razak Braimah who had been on holidays for most part of the game gifted the Guineans an opportunity for a comeback when he decided to delay far more than was allowed.

The referee whistled for an indirect freekick in added time but Traore's low strike hit the hand of Dede Ayew. Guinea were screaming for a penalty but the referee would have none of that.

The Stars quickly turned defence into attack and it was Gyan who had an opportunity to get his name on the score sheet but Yattara who had no intention to go for the ball lunged into the abdomen of Gyan and was given a marching off orders.

He had already taken a yellow for another challenge on Atsu early on in the game.

The Stars now play host Equatorial Guinea in the first semi-final game.