The Black Stars avoided a setback in Bouake against DR Congo on Sunday after a final day win gave Ghana an African Nations Championship lifeline.
It took a final day display by the Black Stars to record their first win in the group stages to set up a semi-final date with Senegal on Wednesday after having finished their two previous games in stalemates.
DR Congo, despite the defeat qualify alongside Ghana into the semi-finals and would play Zambia after Zimbabwe drew goalless with Libya in the other game in Abidjan.
Ghana finished top of the group with five points, DR Congo had four, Zimbabwe three and Libya two.
A 3-0 win was enough to see Ghana into the last four of the tournament designed exclusively for players who play in their domestic leagues.
Charles Taylor put Ghana in the lead on the stroke of halftime before Yaw Antwi’s 67th minute goal and the third by captain, Edmund Owusu-Ansah with nine minutes of play to go wrapped up the Black Stars’ first win at the Championship.
Ghana pressed early as Edmund Owusu-Ansah, restored to the starting lineup failed to find the back of the net from his weak strike.
Charles Taylor then set up Yaw Antwi but his first touch was too heavy as goalkeeper Kidiaba Muteba came out to make a save leading to an injury which held up play for a while.
The Leopards however took over with Mputu Mabi testing goalkeeper Philemon McCarthy at the near post with the outside foot.
But Ghana's improved display stifled the DR Congo who before the game were leading the group on four points. The Leopards looked ineffective.
The Black Stars were forced to make a first half substitution as the injured Agyemang Badu was withdrawn for Rahim Ayew.
Charles Taylor forced two great saves from goalkeeper Kidiaba from his trademark free kicks.
However Taylor’s third attempt beat Kidiaba Muteba as the DR Congo goalkeeper spilled his ferocious free kick into the post on the stroke of halftime.
Though the goal had come as a result of an error by the goalkeeper, it gave the Black Stars a boost as Milovan Rajevac looked on from the stands, as he served his match suspension after being sent off in Ghana’s last game. That was the first time Ghana had taken the lead in the tournament.
At the start of the second half Ghana sat back as the Leopards found spaces to attack earning three successive corner kicks.
The Leopard’s defence which had been a bit shaky pushed forward to help secure the equalizer but they were caught out of position when a long ball lunged by Philemon McCarthy led to Ghana’s second goal.
Charles Taylor who had raced onto the pass was confronted by Bokese Gladys and as they tussled for the ball, Yaw Antwi followed up to control the ball on the chest and lob past goalkeeper Kidiaba for the second goal in the 67th minute.
The game appeared to be slipping away from DR Congo as the minutes ticked but Ghana were not done.
Rahim Ayew crossed the ball to the far post where Owusu-Ansah had been left free to control and curl the ball to the far post to put the gloss on an impressive display.
Despite being three goals down, DR Congo pushed for goals but Philemon McCarthy was on hand to deny the Leopards a goal.
Ghana exhausted their substitutions bringing on Sam Ayew Yeboah and Ebo Andoh for Yaw Antwi and Charles Taylor.
Already, Zambia and Senegal have qualified for the next phase of the Championship from Group A.
Ghana line up:
Philemon McCarthy, Samuel Inkoom, Harrison Afful, Ofosu Appiah, Osei Bonsu, Daniel Yeboah, Edmund Owusu-Ansah, Jordan Opoku, Yaw Antwi/Sam Ayew Yeboah, Emmanuel Agyeman Badu/ Rahim Ayew, Charles Taylor/Ebo Andoh