Valiant Warriors make it a black night for Black Stars

Ghanaian defense Gabriel Issah(L) challenges Zimbabwean forward Gilbert Mushangazhike during their African Nations Cup preliminary round match in Ismailia, Egypt. Zimbabwe won 2-1

A late disallowed goal saw Zimbabwe narrowly miss out on the African Nations Cup quarter-finals despite beating Ghana 2-1.

Goals by Cephas Chimedza and Benjani gave the Warriors a well deserved victory over the lifeless Black Stars, whose hopes at the World Cup finals look very dim - a late goal by Baba Adamu was not enough to salvage their pride.

However it could all have been even better for Zimbabwe had not Joel Lupahla's last minute tap in not been disallowed for a tenuous offside.

Senegal progressed as second in Group D despite losing 2-1 to Nigeria.

Zimbabwe had most of the early possession forcing a corner and forcing the Ghana defence into errors.

The Warriors had the first real shot at goal as veteran captain Peter Ndlovu fired in from outside the box in the ninth minute but the 32-year-old's shot shot curled round the post.

Zimbabwe were by far the most composed side in the opening quarter of an hour but the impressive Gilbert Mushangazhike was better at creating than shooting as he demonstrated in the 14th minute winning the ball but once he received it back he shot wildly wide from just five metres out.

Zimbabwe's Benjani Mwariwari is challenged by John Pantsil of Ghana during their African Nations Cup preliminary round match in Ismailia, north of Cairo. Zimbabwe won 2-1

Similarly midfielder Joel Luphala also showed prominently especially in the 23rd minute with a rampaging solo run out of defence all the way up to the Ghana penalty area but he was eventually forced wide and the move came to nothing.

Portsmouth's new signing Benjani got his first sight of goal in the 28th minute when he met Mushangazhike's pinpoint accurate cross but his header was rather tame for such a big lad and it fell sweetly into 'keeper Sammy Adjei's hands.

After another high and mighty shot from Mushangazhike after a Ghana defensive error Ghana finally created a scoring opportunity 34 minutes into the match, but captain Stephen Appiah fired well over the bar.

Zimbabwe replied forcing the first save of the match as Cephas Chimedza's stinging freekick from the right was goalward bound but Adjei leapt acrobatically to his left and punched it to safety.

It was all Zimbabwe and it was a pity for them that Benjani, having shown great skill in getting the ball out to the right, then misdirected his free header from Ndlovu's cross in the final minute of the half.

Ndlovu, who became the first Zimbabwean to play in the top flight in England with Coventry, lasted just four minutes of the second period before probably walking off the African Nations Cup stage for the final time.

Ghanaian forward Prince Tagoe and Zimbabwe's defender Zvenkiya Makonse jump for a header during their African Nations Cup preliminary round match in Ismailia, Egypt. Zimbabwe won 2-1

Zimbabwe, though, carried on in the same attacking spirit with first Esrom Nyandoro firing just wide with a great long range effort and then Germinal Beerschot's Chimedza breaking free down the right but seeng his shot trickle past the far post.

Tinashe Nengomashe was the next to have a go with his low drive forcing Adjei to dive at full stretch to save it.

Chimedza was to make no mistake in the 60th minute as his goalbound effort from a corner was deflected into the net with Adjei wandering aimlessly round his area.

The Ghanaians lack of focus could well have been affected by seeing the scoreboard showing Senegal leading Nigeria in the other match in the Group.

However they still seemed to be asleep a minute later as Benjani rose above his marker but again the former Auxerre marksman's direction was woeful as it went well wide.

His never say die attitude paid off finally in the 68th minute when an appalling error by Gabriel Issa let in Benjani and he easily beat Adjei to double their lead and effectively end the Black Stars interest in the tournament.