Ghana made sure of qualification from African Nations Championship Group C as winners with a late 1-0 win over Ethiopia, who go out of the competition having failed to score.
In the first half the Ethiopians were the more threatening side, coming close on a couple of occasions on the break but the two sides went in level.
There were few chances in the second 45, but a penalty from Adusei with 15 minutes to go guided Ghana to a win and three points to top Group C.
Read how the action unfolded below.
Good afternoon African football fans. It's the final matchday in Group C of the African Nations Championship and I will be bringing you coverage from the Free State Stadium where Ethiopia are taking on Ghana.
There is still much to play for in Group C, with the top three all able to still go through or be knocked out, depending on the results. Unfortunately for Ethiopia, their tournament ended competitively on Friday when they lost 1-0 to Congo.
For Ghana, however, their progress is very much in their own hands. If they win they are through no matter the result of the other game. Rather than all the other permutations, they will be targeting three points against the bottom side, with four collected from two games so far.
The other two sides, Congo and Libya, are also in action and you can follow that game with us too right here. In that game, both sides will know that a win will also be enough, despite what happens here.
Right, I have the teams, so I'll get them right over to you...
ETHIOPIA XI: Tassew; Elyaszewg, Alula Girma, Abebaw, Assefa; Adane Girma, Mentesenot, Minyahile, Asfaw; Oukri, Bargecho
GHANA XI: Adams; Saka, Joshua, Sulley, Adusei; Akuffo, Mpong, Opoku, Mohammed; Bancey, Asare
With all players in this tournament plying their trade in Africa, there are very few players here that will be known outside the continent. Of course, Ghana have the likes of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Michael Essien playing in Europe, but they cannot help them here.
It's almost time for kickoff then. The crowd are, well it's almost empty, but it still should be a competitive game. Ghana, for me, should manage the win and I'm plumping for a 2-0 victory.
KICKOFF: The referee gets us underway - it's Ethiopia in their green who get us underway. They are the only team yet to score.
Ghana have seen a lot of the ball early on, but it's Ethiopia who get the first chance with a corner. After a bit of a scramble in the box, Bansey is fouled and Ghana earn the free kick.
CHANCE! Bansey is involved at the other end as he meets a corner, but guides his header wide of the post when he might have done better. Good leap, though.
Just the one really good chance so far, but Ghana are beginning to control proceedings. Ethiopia are looking quite dangerous on the break, but Bargecho's shot from about 25 yards bobbles to Adams in the Ghana goal.
A good spell of possession this from Ethiopia, but once more they end up shooting from range. This time it's Minyahile who goes for goal and his effort flies well over.
Another effort from Ethipia, but this time it's struck better by Oukri. It's still too much straight at Adams. There was power, but it was comfortable still.
Ghana have had a number of free kicks. This time it's from shooting range, but Akuffu gets too much on his effort and it was always rising.
CHANCE! Big chance there for Ghana. Mpong latched on to a poor pass but slashed an effort wide.
It's a very bobbly pitch, which does not help the next effort. Akuffo wanted to hit it first time, but the bobble meant that he had to control it and in the end his effort is well over the bar.
Good football from Ghana there, as Joshua plays a one-two before his hard effort is blocked by Elyaszewg. Brave defending there.
Ethiopia are certainly showing that they have the potential to hurt Ghana tonight. So far they've not had a really good chance, just efforts from range, but they are enjoying a spell of possession.
They are, however, giving away far too many free kicks. Almost every time Ghana come forward they are too quick for their opponents. Another shot comes in from Ghana, but it's their fifth off target.
Yet another free kick as Mpong is brought down to the right of the box. This is a dangerous position to swing the ball in. An update: It's 1-0 to Congo in the other game of the group.
CHANCE! Good effort for Ethiopia. The cross comes in and Oukri meets it, but he's under enough pressure that he puts the effort wide. He probably should have hit the target though.
Another save down low for Ghana's keeper Adams. The shot came in from some way out and although he had to stop it it was comfortable for him.
Ghana are only really threatening from set pieces, of which they have had a lot. This time there's a foul in the box against them and Ethiopia survive.
HALF TIME: Ethiopia 0-0 Ghana
It's been an interesting game so far and if anything Ethiopia have probably had the better of the chances. They have conceded too many free kicks, but up to now they have not taken advantage.
Adams in the Ghana goal has certainly been more busy than his opposite number Tassew. That said, much of the probing has been done by Ghana, with Ethiopia very dangerous indeed on the counter.
It's also half time in the other game in the group, where Congo lead Libya 1-0. This means that, as it stands, Libya move from top to third (and therefore out) while Congo will go through as group leaders. Plenty of time for that to change, of course.
The players are coming back out and we await the second half in South Africa. The Ghanaian players are on before their Ethiopian counterparts.
We're waiting for a final player... and finally it's 11 vs. 11 again and we're back underway.
Good start to the half from Ethiopia, who try to work a chance after some passing football, but cannot quite work a chance at the end of it.
OFF THE LINE! Ghana have a corner on the left-hand side, which has been rare. Almost an own goal! A defender sliced it towards his own goal and it was cleared on the line. I'm not sure who it was that swung a boot, but I think it was Minyahile who nearly put through his own net then. Bizarre.
Attobrah came on for Muhammed a few minutes ago, and now Afful is on for for Asare. Also a yellow card for Bancey for a lunge - it's all happening.
As I say that, Congo also go 2-0 up against Libya. Libya have a big task to qualify now, and Ghana know that this draw should be good enough. They will want to win, though, as they would then win the group.
BOOKING: Another yellow card this time for Ethiopia, this one is for Unema. Ghana have a dangerous free kick.
It was hit by Akuffu, who has had a number of shots today, but it went not too far wide of the near post. The keeper scrambled briefly, but left it in the end.
Afful runs the risk of a booking with a foul on the Ethiopia right, but as he's just come on the referee is lenient. The men in green have created a lot less than they did in the first, but in fairness Ghana have not done a lot either in the last 15 minutes. A header from range comes in from Oukri, but he's not likely to score from there and it goes wide.
Demessie comes on for Fasika for the Ethiopians.
Oukri is starting to threaten more and more. The new man Demessie threads him in but the effort in the end is wayward - good run from the striker, though.
It's not looking very likely that we will see a goal in this one. Ghana are passing the ball around quite well, but there has been a real lack of chances this half.
Another shot for Ethiopia but once more it's well off target from range. Mentesenot was not likely to test Adams from there and his effort went low and wide. This has not been a high-quality match.
Ethiopia now are in control of the passing. That is until they get anywhere near the Ghana area, of course. The final pass is lacking every single time.
PENALTY TO GHANA!
Salahadin reaches in and brings down Bancey - that's a really poor tackle and he's booked for his troubles.
GOAL! Ethiopia 0-1 Ghana (Adusei, pen)
Adusei makes no mistake from the spot, sending the goalkeeper right and shooting left. That could well be the winning goal and is surely going to see them win the group.
UPDATE: Libya have got a goal back against Congo and it's now 2-1. That of course is irrelevant to Ghana here, unless they concede twice and go behind.
Ghana have a free kick on the far right side of the box. Not a great angle for a shot and sure enough the shot loops over the bar from Adusei.
BOOKING: They have another free kick in almost the same spot, just slightly further out. This time Abebaw is booked for his late tackle.
The crowd - for the small number in the ground - are still making a lot of noise. Mergiya comes on for Ethiopia in the final five minutes of their tournament.
Ghana are still very quick to close down when they lose possession. Ethiopia are trying to hit them on the break, but they have just run out of ideas this half.
They continue to look to utilise the pace on the wings, but the Ghana full-backs have been very good in this half. Four minutes of time have been added on as Behailu goes into the book for diving. That looks a little bit harsh to me.
The pace has slowed right down now and both sets of players are seeing out this result.
UPDATE: Libya have scored a late equaliser in the other game! Libya now have edged above Congo, with Ghana still top.
FULL TIME! Ethiopia 0-1 Ghana
Ghana go through as Group C winners. Libya scored an equaliser, but not a winner, which means that Ghana finish top of the group. They just about deserved their win today on balance.
Thanks for joining me for this game. We're back tomorrow with the action from Group D. Until then, it's goodbye!
Written by
Matt Domm
Matt Domm
