The Black Starlets of Ghana defeated the colts of Niger 2-0 to set up another all-African tie against Mali – who thrashed Iraq 5-1 on Tuesday.
Captain Eric Ayiah scored from the spot at the stroke of half time after he was brought down in the box and referee Soares Diaz from Portugal never hesitated to point to the spot.
The Charity Stars teenager however failed to bury a second penalty four minutes from time after Farouk Idrissa tripped Emmanuel Toku in the danger zone but goalkeeper Lawali Khaled ensured Ayiah does not beat him twice in the same manner.
The striker however takes his tally to three goals in four games in the tournament.
Substitute striker Richard Danso mad it 2-0 for Paa Kwesi Fabin’s side with a bullet shot in the 90th minute to put the game absolutely beyond their rivals.
The Ghanaian startles now face Mali, one of the favorites to lift the trophy, on Saturday in a thrilling quarter-final clash.
Ghana start list:
GK Ibrahim Danlad – Najeed Yakubu, Gideon Mensah, Bismark Owusu Terry, Rashid Alhassan – Isaac Gyamfi, Gabriel Leveh, Emmanuel Toku, Ibrahim Sulley – Eric Ayiah, Edmund Arko-Mensah.
Coach – Paa Kwesi Fabin Samuel
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