Ghana vs. Cape Verde: African Cup of Nations Live Score, Highlights and Recap

African Cup of Nations: First Quarterfinal

Full-time: Ghana 2 Cape Verde 0

Ghana: 16-Fatau Dauda; 4-John Pantsil, 15-Isaac Vorsah, 21-John Boye, 23-Harrison Afful; 8-Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, 10-Albert Adomah, 11-Rabiu Mohammed, 20-Kwadwo Asamoah; 7-Christian Atsu; 3-Asamoah Gyan. Subs: Derek Boateng, Wakaso Mubarak, Solomon Asante

Cape Verde: 1-Vozinha; 18-Nivaldo, 3-Fernando Varela, 6-Nando, 23-Carlitos; 5-Babanco, 15-Marco Soares, 8-Toni Varela; 10-Heldon 20-Ryan Mendes, 11-Julio Tavares. Subs: Platini, Rambe, Djaniny

Ghana are through to the semi-final of the African Cup of Nations after substitute Mubarak Wakaso scored two second half goals against Cape Verde.

After an uneventful first half the game sprang into life when Ghana were awarded a controversial penalty on 54 minutes. Asamoah Gyan was through on goal when Carlitos shoulder-barged him to win back the ball. It looked like a good challenge but the referee pointed to the spot and the Espanyol winger struck the ball down the middle of the goal.

Ghana then had to put up a stiff resistance as Cape Verde threw everything forward in the hope of finding an equalizer. Ghana’s keeper, Fatau Dauda, put in a Man of the Match performance and pulled of a number of fine saves to keep his team in the match.

The second goal came in injury time when Cape Verde had sent everyone, including the keeper, up the field for a corner. When the ball was cleared Wakaso was free to run unchallenged into the Ghana penalty area and put the ball into an empty net.

For Cape Verde, the fairytale is over. From eliminating Cameroon in the qualifiers to finishing second and unbeaten in Group A, this tiny island nation had stood up to Africa’s football royalty and come out victorious. They deserved to win today and put in a fine attacking display.

Ghana will play the winner of Burkina Faso vs. Togo in the semi-final.