Ghana edge out Ecuador

Razak Pinpong (gold hair) in the Ecuador defence

Under 20 World Cup

Ghana 1-0 Ecuador
Angola 0-2 Netherlands

By Durosimi Thomas

John Mensah's first-half goal against Ecuador was enough to see Ghana through to the quarter-finals of the Under-20 World Cup and a titanic clash with Brazil on Sunday in Cordoba.

Mensah headed the only goal of the match in the 11th minute from a freekick after Jorge Guagua fouled Razak Pinpong in the edge of the box.

It was an easy win for the Ghanaians against a side that posed scarcely any danger throughout the game apart from three close opportunities.

Ghana had a field day in front of a crowd that handed them enormous support in the group stages of the competition.

The Mar del Plata fans were not disappointed though despite the slim victory, but they enjoyed the football with Razak Pinpong's name the chorus for the chanting that echoed at the el Estadio Jose Minella.

Brazil will be Ghana's biggest test yet in the tournament, after convincing wins in a group that included Paraguay and France who are also in the last eight.

Mensah's header came just after Ecuador had invaded the Ghanaian defence in the 3rd minute as keeper, Maxwell Owusu-Banahene punched away the first strike by the South Americans.

Derrick Boateng runs at the Ecuador defence

Two minutes later, Javier Intrigo tried a long range free-kick in attempt to beat Maxwell, who had just received treatment after saving the first Ecuador chance.

Substitute Walter Wiza also caused early headaches for the Ghanaian defence as his first touch of the ball almost snatched an equaliser in the 48th minute.

Guagua, who caused his side to concede the goal tried to make up for his mistake by loobbing a free-kick which Maxwell parried over the bar.

But it was Ghana who had the rash of chances and all the best moves to win by a wide margin.

Pinpong was denied by the keeper Daniel Viteri twice, while Sulley Muntari fired wide although he had enough space to advance.

Ghana's star striker Derrick Boateng was the target of some rough tackles and he decided to be less dynamic in the game.

Boateng was brought down three times in the first 15 minutes and had to receive treatment twice.

Going home

Ghana and Egypt are the only African teams left in the tournament, after Angola lost 2-0 to Holland in the other second round clash.

The Angolans paid the heavy price of wasting all their chances in the first-half in which penalty pleas were ignored by the referee after Mantorras fell in the penalty box.

Rahamat Mustapha scored for Holland in the 52nd minute from a square pass and late in match Klaas Huntelaar headed the second to knock-out the African under-20 champions.

Egypt will play Holland on Sunday in Rosario.