Prince Tagoe struck as Ghana beat Benin to secure a perfect start in the Group D qualifying of the joint 2010 African Nations Cup and World Cup.

The striker scored just under a minute of play as his 50th second goal proved the difference between the sides in a tough game at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.

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

Despite dominating possession for long stretches of the game, the Squirrels put in a strong performance.

Sulley Muntari went past his marker of the left side of attack and sent a cross into the box which Tagoe stabbed in past Yoann Djidonou in post for the visitors.

The Black Stars maintained the pace of the game as captain Stephen Appiah went close to doubling Ghana’s lead in the 15th minute but saw his goal-bound shot go off the arm of a Benin defender.

Benin relying heavily on their top stars, Stephane Sessegnon and Razak Omotoyossi tried creating space but found it difficult going past Ghana’s central defensive pair.

The Squirrels came close to levelling up but Romuald Boco his shot way above the crossbar.

However they were not finished as Boco, side-stepped Samuel Inkoom, making his senior’s debut and crossed into the box but Stephane Sessegnon and Razak Omotoyossi both failed to react to the ball.

Ghana held onto the lead to end the first half 1-0 as Jonathan Quartey going into referee Daniel Bennet’s books.