Chelsea's Michael Essien scored one goal and set up the other to lead host Ghana to a 2-0 victory over Morocco Monday that gave the Black Stars first place in Group A at the African Nations Cup and knocked the Lions of Atlas out of the competition. Guinea tied Namibia, 1-1, in the other Group A finale to finish in second place and move into the quarterfinals along with Ghana.

(Television: Available on-demand online at 3A Telesud and Ghana2008.tv)

SCOREBOARD
Group A
Jan. 20 in Accra
Ghana 2 Guinea 1
Jan. 21 in Accra
Morocco 5 Namibia 1
Jan. 24 in Accra
Guinea 3 Morocco 2
Ghana 1 Namibia 0
Jan. 28 in Accra
Ghana 2 Morocco 0
Jan. 28 in Sekondi
Guinea 1 Namibia 1
Final Standings: Ghana 9 points; Guinea 4; Morocco 3; Namibia 1.

Group B
Jan. 21 in Sekondi
Ivory Coast 1 Nigeria 0
Mali 1 Benin 0
Jan. 25 in Sekondi
Ivory Coast 4 Benin 1
Nigeria 0 Mali 0
Jan, 29 in Sekondi
Nigeria vs. Benin
Jan. 29 in Accra
Ivory Coast vs. Mali

Group C
Jan. 22 in Kumasi
Egypt 4 Cameroon 2
Zambia 3 Sudan 0
Jan. 26 in Kumasi
Cameroon 5 Zambia 1
Egypt 3 Sudan 0
Jan. 30 in Kumasi
Cameroon vs. Sudan
Jan. 30 in Tamale
Egypt vs. Zambia

Group D
Jan. 23 in Tamale
Tunisia 2 Senegal 2
South Africa 1 Angola 1
Jan. 27 in Tamale
Angola 3 Senegal 1
Tunisia 3 South Africa 1
Jan. 31 in Kumasi
Senegal vs. South Africa
Jan. 31 in Tamale
Tunisia vs. Angola

Quarterfinals
Feb. 3 in Accra
Match 1: Ghana vs. B2
Feb. 3 in Tamale
Match 2: B1 vs. Guinea
Feb. 4 in Sekondi
Match 3: C1 vs. D2
Feb. 4 in Kumasi
Match 4: D1 vs. C2

Semifinals
Feb. 7 in Accra
Match 1 winner vs. Match 4 winner
Feb. in Kumasi
Match 2 winner vs. Match 3 winner

Third-Place Game
Feb. 9 in Accra

Final
Feb. 10 in Accra