Ghana and Guinea reach last eight

Hosts Ghana beat Morocco 2-0 to reach the African Nations Cup quarter-finals yesterday.

Guinea also went into the last eight, following Ghana through from Group A despite managing only a 1-1 draw against rank outsiders Namibia.

Midfielder Michael Essien scored a goal and set up another as Ghana finished their group with maximum points from three games.

Ghana, who will stay in Accra for their quarter-final on Sunday, will face the Group B runners-up - most likely Mali although it could be arch-rivals Nigeria.

In front of a packed crowd in Accra, Sulley Muntari set up Essien for the opening goal in the 26th minute with a quickly taken free kick that found the midfielder in enough space to score from close range.

The favour was returned when Essien ran at the Morocco defence in the 45th minute and slipped a pass for Muntari to net his second of the tournament.

"We decided before (the match) we were going to attack and attack. We decided to make more room for Essien to take charge and to come forward," Ghana coach Claude Le Roy said.

Morocco coach Henri Michel, who led Ivory Coast to the final of the last Nations Cup in Egypt in 2006, said: "We now have to look ahead and build a new squad."

The North Africans fell at the first hurdle for the second successive Nations Cup.

Guinea finished with four points, one ahead of Morocco, despite being held by Namibia, who took home their only point.

Robert Nouzaret's side opened the scoring through Souleymane Youla on 62 minutes only for Namibia to equalise 11 minutes from time courtesy of Brian Brendell's second goal of the tournament.

The only cheers in an almost empty stadium came from the volunteers and policemen celebrating Ghana's goals in Accra.

Standings: Ghana 9; Guinea 4; Morocco 3; Namibia 1.