Ghana too good for Niger

Goal of the match: Christian Atsu showed individual skill and composure for Ghana’s second goal.

Eish!: Referee Djibril Camara for disallowing the Niger goal.

Ghana gave their best performance yet in the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa to clinch Group B and seal a quarterfinal berth with a 3-0 win over Niger.

The Black Stars will remain in Port Elizabeth for a meeting in the last eight with Group A runners-up Cape Verde at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

Goals from captain Gyan Asamoah, Atsu and John Boye ensured that the Black Stars finished on top of the group with seven points.

Atsu deservedly walked away with the Man of the Match award.

The 21-year-old FC Porto winger not only contributed to the goals but he also troubled the Mena of Niger with his pace throughout.

He came into the starting line-up as a replacement for the suspended Mubarak Wakaso and the youngster’s inclusion proved to be a tactical masterstroke for coach Kwesi Appiah.

Niger will feel hard done-by after referee Camara disallowed Dankwa’s goal in the 10th minute.

The match official got it wrong by blowing the whistle for obstruction when Ghana goalkeeper Abdul Fatawu Dauda was in fact obstructed by his own defender.

But the Black Stars proved to be too good against a Niger side that appeared in their second Afcon.