Ghana defeats South Africa 3-1 in the African Olympic qualifying series to move within one victory of reaching next year's Beijing Games.

Asamoah Gyan scored a brace with Bernard Kumordzi getting the other goal while Daine Klate secured one for the opponents, giving Ghana its second straight win by the same score in the qualifying campaign and over the same opposition.

The victory at the El-Wak stadium by the Black Meteors sends Ghana to the summit of the standings with six points and a game to spare while condemning South Africa’s hopes as they are now out of contention.

Ghana needs to win its final game at home to Nigeria in November to clinch one of the three places allotted Africa at the tournament next year.

Star-performer, Asamoah Gyan playing behind the two strikers put Ghana ahead in the 18th minute when he nodded in from the far end, a teasing cross by Michael Helegbe that saw the South African goalkeeper move out of his post to attempt a clearance.

Ten minutes later, Bernard Kumordzi doubled up Ghana's lead scoring in the 28th minute after stretching to connect a low cross in the opposition goal area to the end the half, 2-0 up for Ghana.

Back from recess, Ghana could have increased their lead but rather saw the South Africa's Amaglug-glug pull one back when Diane Klate, unmarked in Ghana's area headed in to reduce the deficit in the 63rd minute.

Ghana coach, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio made some changes pulling out Michael Akuffo for Sampson Cudjoe and striker, Nafiu Iddrissu for Obed Ansah.

The changes saw Gyan move upfront to partner Prince Tagoe with Ghana pushing their opponents.

As the game continued Ghana made its final substitution as Michael Helegbe came off for Kwadwo Asamoah.

Despite the South African’s occasionally pushing for the equaliser, the last laugh belonged to Asamoah Gyan.

Gyan, capped a great game with beautiful display of skill when he nutmegged his marker, controlled the ball and with his right foot, curled the ball into the far corner to make it 3-1 in the 86th minute.


Ghana line up:

GK: Eric Nii Baah, Daniel Addo, Michael Akuffo/Sampson Cudjoe, Bawa Mohammed, Isaac Vorsah, Bernard Kumordzi, Anthony Annan, Asamoah Gyan, Michael Helegbe/Kwadwo Asamoah, Nafiu Iddrissu/Obed Ansah, Prince Tagoe