Ghana coach looking forward to Angola clash after advancing (Roundup)

By Peter Auf der Heyde Jan 19, 2010, 20:20 GMT

Luanda - Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac said Tuesday he is looking forward to taking on the hosts Angola in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after guiding his team to a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso.

The win, achieved through Dede Ayew's goal on the half-hour mark sees the Black Stars grab second place in Group B behind Ivory Coast, who topped the group on four points - one more than Ghana.

The fourth team in the group, Togo, withdrew before the start of the competition after a deadly ambush on their team-bus resulted in the death of the bus driver, the assistant coach and the team's press officer.

'The match was very difficult and psychologically very tough. Burkina Faso were more attacking today, compared to their defensive approach against Ivory Coast.

'Playing Angola at the quarter-finals will be more difficult because they are the hosts. We have some time to prepare and will be ready for the challenge,' Rajevac promised.

Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson, who captained the side in the absence of Michael Essien, added: 'The youngster in the team are very determined and they worked hard for this result. Our ambition remains the ultimate and we will not be distracted.'

Although Ghana went into the game knowing that they had to win, it was the Stallions who made all the early running in front of a disappointing crowd of just a few thousand in the 50,000-seat stadium in Luanda.

German-based Jonathan Pitroipa and Madi Panandetiguiri created some problems for the Ghana defence, but failed to find the back of the net for their side.

Against the run of play Ghana took the lead when a free-kick from Samuel Inkoom found the head of Ayew on the half-hour mark and the son of the former African Footballer of the Year Abedi Pele headed home.

In the second half, both sides created some chances, with Matthew Amoah coming close for the Black Stars after a cross into the area from Haminu Dramani, while Pitroipa continued looking dangerous every time he came close to the Ghana area.

Any hopes Burkina Faso had of coming back into the game were effectively quashed in the 66th minute when Mamadou Tall was sent off rather harshly for what Seychelles referee Eddy Maillet perceived was an attempt to elbow an opponent.

Dramani should have doubled Ghana's score in the 76th minute when he had a free shot at goal, but hit the side netting.

Ghana then held onto the 1-0 victory they needed to advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face the hosts Angola in Luanda on Sunday. The Ivory Coast, meanwhile, will play against Algeria in their quarter-final scheduled on the same day for Cabinda.

Burkina Faso coach Paulo Duarte praised his side, even though they lost. 'We started very well, controlled the game but we lost many opportunities. We did everything for the equalizer, but were affected by the numerical disadvantage.'