Competition: 2012 African Nations Cup Qualifier
Teams: Sudan 0-2 Ghana
Venue: Hilal Stadium - Omdurman
Date: October 8, 2011
Ghana have qualified for the 2012 African Nations Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea following their 2-0 win over Sudan, Saturday afternoon.
The Black Stars went into the game knowing that a point would be good enough to secure their place in the finals as Goran Stevanovic's side seemed they were all set to win the game by half-time, as goals from Asamoah Gyan and captain John Mensah put them firmly in the driving seat in Group I.
Qualification masked the fact that Ghana played most of the second half with ten men.
Gyan opened the scoring when he headed home from a free kick after 10 minutes of play.
And Ghana's second came ten minutes later with John Mensah turning in a corner from close range.
Despite being down, Sudan finished the opening half the side with much possession though Ghana's goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey was rarely tested.
Leading with two goals, Ghana returned from the break much stronger and went close after Kwadwo Asamoah had missed from close range from a Samuel Inkoom cut-back four minutes into the start of the second half.
It had all started brightly for Ghana in the second half before defender Isaac Vorsah was sent off for retaliation on 52 minutes.
Vorsah in a tussle with a Sudanese defender struck back with the arm and after consulting his assistant, referee Eddy Maillet had little option but to send him off.
Black Stars coach Stevanovic was forced into shuffling his side, making two quick changes by bringing on Lee Addy and Anthony Annan for Sulley Muntari and Kwadwo Asamoah.
With a man advantage, Sudan, who were slightly on top pushed for a goal but failed to threaten Kwarasey.
Ghana exhausted their substitutions with Stevanovic handing Mohammed Abu his debut when he came on for Derek Boateng.
After four minutes of added on time, there were scenes of jubilation at the final whistle with Ghana completing the job and through to final next year.
Ghana finish the qualifying campaign top of the table with 16 points, after recording five wins and a draw in six games. The Black Stars scored a total of 13 and conceded just a goal.
Ghana line up: Adam Kwarasey, John Painstil, Daniel Opare, Isaac Vorsah, John Mensah, Derek Boateng/Mohammed Abu, Samuel Inkoom, Emmanuel Agyeman-Badu, Asamoah Gyan, Kwadwo Asamoah/Anthony Annan, Sulley Muntari/Lee Addy
Subs: Daniel Agyei, Mohammed Abu, Lee Addy, Prince Tagoe, Dominic Adiyiah, Anthony Annan, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie.