Ghana produce six-star performance

The third-place playoff certainly had a touch of finesse and Ghana produced that as the Black Stars beat the Ivory Coast in the six-goal thriller to claim bronze at the African Cup of Nations.

Ghana spurred on by the rhythmic drums and cheers from the noisy Baba Yara Stadium beat Ivory Coast 4-2. The win confirms Ghana's superiority over their West African neighbours.

Winning was everything that was at stake as both nations sought to maintain their pride after missing out of places in the finals. That was what was left for the taking in this massive game and Ghana produced that, scoring three times in the last 20 minutes.

About five minutes into the start of the game and the Elephants failed to score as Saloman Kalou after picking a great ball from Didier Drogba had his shot saved well by Richard Kingson and, as the ball bounced out, Kalou again failed to connect the rebound.

The 'people's finals' did not disappoint the theatre as Ghana conducting the orchestra, rolled out the opener in the 10th minute from a blistering freekick.

From some 25 yards out, Sulley Muntari struck the ball ferociously with his left-foot to top corner of the goal beating a diving Tiasse Kone.

Ghana were forced to effect their first change of the day as Baffour Gyan came off after with an injury to the hand with his place taken by Quincy Owusu-Abeyie in the 20th minute.

But the Ivorians drew level as Boubacar Sanogo pounced on a through-and hit it low past Richard Kingson for the equalizer in the 24th minute.

Eight minutes later, the Elephants hit the back of the Ghana net when Drogba's connection to a Siaka Tiene's cross is saved Kingson with his legs and Boubacar Sanogo was on the spot to tap in from close range to make it 2-1.

And that goal was the 95th, producing a new record as the 2008 African Cup of Nations officially became record-breaker after topping previous total goals record of 93 (set in Burkino Faso in 1998).

However there were some to come in the second period of the game after a continuous action the first half.