Host Black Stars salvage win

• by Soccer America , Jan 21, 2008

[AFRICAN NATIONS CUP] Host Ghana's Black Stars entered the 2008 African Nations Cup as one of the tournament's favorites, but they will have to play better than they did in their opener if they are to contend for the championship. Sulley Muntari's 90th-minute goal gave Ghana a 2-1 win over Guinea.

"Sometimes we can play great games against the likes of Brazil or Nigeria but then lost concentration against other sides," said Ghana's French coach, Claude LeRoy. "We've got to be humble now and prepare for our second game against Namibia."

Ghana had three shots hit the woodwork and one goal called back before going ahead on Asamoah Gyan's penalty kick. Oumer Kalabane's equalizer stunned the capacity crowd at Accra's

Muntari, who one of five players from English club Portsmouth on African Nations Cup duty, scored with 25-yard strike with his left foot.

"I came close before then," he said, "but I kept trying till it went in! It's too early though to say whether we will go on to be champions."

Play resumes Monday with three games.

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

SCOREBOARD
Group A
Jan. 20 in Accra
Ghana 2 Guinea 1
Jan. 21 in Accra
Namibia vs. Morocco
Jan. 24 in Accra
Guinea vs. Morocco
Ghana vs. Namibia
Jan. 28 in Accra
Ghana vs. Morocco
Jan. 28 in Sekondi
Guinea vs. Namibia

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

Group C
Jan. 22 in Kumasi
Egypt vs. Cameroon
Zambia vs. Sudan
Jan. 26 in Kumasi
Cameroon vs. Zambia
Egypt vs. Sudan
Jan. 30 in Kumasi
Cameroon vs. Sudan
Jan. 30 in Tamale
Egypt vs. Zambia

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

Quarterfinals
Feb. 3 in Accra
Match 1: A1 vs. B2
Feb. 3 in Tamale
Match 2: B1 vs. A2
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