Ghana got what they wanted as the Black Stars earned a perfect start in the joint 2010 African Nations Cup and World Cup qualifying, beating Benin 1-0 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

The Black Stars, pre-match favourites could have finished the game with at least three goals but had to settle for the lone goal which came just under a minute into the start of the game when Prince Tagoe stabbed in a cross from the left.

Michael Essien who captained the team as play went on following the substitution of Stephen Appiah says the scoreline did not reflect the trend of the game but admits that Benin were a tougher side.

“We are happy with the win. The most important thing was to win this game and we did exactly that. We knew we had to score early to calm things down though we could have scored more.

“But Benin was a good side. We didn’t underrate them. They came in strong and we were up for the match.

“Now we can look ahead to the next game and God willing, we can get a good result,” Essien said afterwards in a post match interview.

The opening game anxiety is now out of the way as Ghana looks up to the next game away to Mali on June 7. Mali, described as the main threat to Ghana’s World Cup qualifying chances drew 1-1 away to Sudan on Saturday.

Sulley Muntari who set up Ghana’s goal and saw his shot at goal rattle the crossbar expects another difficult game for the Black Stars. The Inter-Milan midfielder says reaching the World Cup will not come easy for Ghana.

“We are happy to have beaten Benin. We played them in Accra before the Cup of Nations and it was a bit tight so we knew they were a good side. We were expecting this. They are a good side and were here to play. The most important thing is we got our three points.

“The path to the World Cup will be difficult and we have to play well in our remaining games.” Muntari said.

Ghana seeking a second successive World Cup appearance sit at the summit of the four-team table after an opening weekend of World Cup qualifiers on the continent.