score football magazine

Africa 2008
Ghana
Monday January 28th

Hosts send Morocco home

Morocco failed to get past the group stage after losing to the host nation Ghana. Having seen his free-kick pawed to safety in the 16th minute, 10 minutes later Muntari lifted his free kick over the wall for Essien to turn in. The 2 linked up again just before the break with Muntari beating the keeper at the near post. Morocco who were unlucky to have a goal disallowed in the first half, did not threaten Ghana's leadership in the second half and had to rely on Lamyaghri to make a point-blank save from a Gyan header in the 74th minute. Agogo worried Morocco with a strong run into the box in the 84th minute, but the visitors succeeded in getting the ball away and prevented further embarrassment. Ghana finish top of group A (Ghana 2 Morocco 0)

essien
Ghana through to next round
Monday January 28th

Guinea point enough

With Morocco losing against Ghana a draw was enough to see Guinea join the hosts in the next round. Guinea started positively with Bangoura vollying into the side netting in the opening minute, and Daouda Jabi forcing Athiel Mbaha to turn his free-kick around the post in the 5th minute. Namibia had a good chance in the 14th minute, but Katupose headed the ball over the bar, and another chance went begging for Namibia in the 35th minute when Collin Benjamin was free on goal but hit the side netting. Three minutes later at the other end Youla received the ball in the box, and with time to pick his spot, curled the ball wide of the post. In the 62nd minute Bah threaded a through ball to Youla who made up for his earlier miss by rolling it past the Namibian keeper. Brian Brendell earned a point for Namibia in the 80th minute with a shot from just outside the area that bounced past Kemoko Camara into the back of the net. (Guinea 1 Namibia 1)

brian brendell
Brian Brendell celebrates goal against Guinea

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