Ex-player Agogo leads Ghana past Namibia

• by Soccer America , Jan 25, 2008

[AFRICAN NATIONS CUP] Almost six years after he was waived out MLS, Junior Agogo emerged on the international stage, scoring the only goal in host Ghana's unconvincing 1-0 win over Namibia Thursday at the African Nations Cup in Accra.

Agogo, whose career has taken him to nine clubs in England, back-heeled the ball in from close range late in the first half to give the Black Stars their second win in two games. They rallied to beat Guinea, 2-1, in their opener on Sunday.

Namibia's defense had been dismissed as a bunch of "schoolkids" by its coach, Ari Schans, after a 5-1 loss to Morocco on Monday, but the Brave Warriors gave Ghana a scare.

"I cannot commend them highly enough," said Schans after the Ghana game.

In Thursday's other Group A match, Guinea remained alive with a 3-2 win over Morocco.

It was eventful game for Guinea's Pascal Feindouno, who scored twice and set up Ismael Bangoura for Guinea's third goal -- then got himself sent off in the 70th minute for retaliating after Moroccan Armine Ebate stomped on him foot.

(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 vs. Morocco
Jan. 28 in Sekondi
Guinea vs. Namibia

Group B
Jan. 21 in Sekondi
Ivory Coast 1 Nigeria 0
Mali 1 Benin 0
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 4 Cameroon 2
Zambia 3 Sudan 0
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 2 Senegal 2
South Africa 1 Angola 1
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