SOCCER/ African Cup of Nations Ghana 2 Morocco 0:The people of Ghana were breathing an almighty sigh of relief last night after the Black Stars avoided an embarrassing early exit from the African Cup of Nations by sealing a comprehensive win here to ensure they finish as Group A winners.

The hosts knew a 1-0 defeat would spell the end of their campaign if Guinea beat Namibia in the group's other encounter, and many were fearing the worst after two uninspired performances in the opening games.

They proved their doubters wrong in emphatic fashion, however, producing their best showing so far and underlining their credentials.

The victory was inspired by a magnificent Michael Essien, revelling in his new, more advanced role. The Chelsea midfielder, who scooped his third successive man-of-the-match award, showed skill and agility in breaking the deadlock on 26 minutes, then fed Sulley Muntari to score a second and effectively end the contest just before half-time.

"Essien was fantastic and an inspiration to everybody," Ghana coach Claude Leroy said. "He had more space tonight and showed what a marvellous player he is. But I want to thank all my players. We've worked on a lot tactics and every player carried out the instructions perfectly."

With Laryea Kingston suspended, Leroy was forced to make a change, and his choice proved central to the team's transformation. Replacing a right-winger with holding midfielder Anthony Annan had several repercussions: fleet-footed wide player Quincy Owusu-Obeyie was finally given the chance to play on his favoured right flank, Muntari had a freer role on the left, and, most importantly of all, Essien was no longer restricted to defensive duties.

Ghana suddenly had balance, their movement was unpredictable and a disappointingly subdued Morocco failed to cope with Essien's regular surges.

Not even a late lunging tackle from Morocco's captain Amin el Erbate, which merited a red rather than yellow card, could nullify the threat posed by Ghana's dynamic midfielder. The stadium held its breath when Essien was stretchered off, but he was quickly on his feet and, moments later, delivered the goal 40,000 fans had been praying for.

Muntari's clever, chipped free-kick from the right picked out Essien's near-post run, and the 25-year-old swivelled to strike a crisp, first-time shot across Nadir Lamyaghri into the net.

The delirious scenes in the stadium lasted all of three minutes as Marouane Chamakh's header found the net at the other end, only for Gambian referee Modou Sowe to rightly disallow the effort for a push.

That was as dangerous as Morocco got as they crashed out of the competition without so much as a whimper.

"I'm very disappointed because we simply didn't turn up tonight," said Morocco coach Henri Michel. "We didn't win one tackle, we didn't string together two passes."

The lack of aggression in Morocco's midfield was indeed curious and Ghana duly profited. Even their much-maligned forward Asamoah Gyan appeared liberated by Essien's goal, cutting in from the left and shooting past the near post. Muntari then headed John Pantsil's cross wide before striking a left-footed effort narrowly over.

The Portsmouth player was eventually rewarded with the second goal on 45 minutes. The referee Modou Sowe played advantage after Junior Agogo had been fouled, allowing Essien to scamper forward and slip a pass through for Muntari, whose shot squeezed past Lamyaghri.

"This was my best performance for Ghana," Essien said. "All I want to do is play my best and help my country win the tournament." On this kind of form, he may well achieve that goal.

GHANA:Kingson, Sarpei, Addo, Pantsil, Mensah, Gyan (Baffour 88), Annan, Essien, Muntari, Quincy (Draman 89), Agogo (Ayew 83). Subs not used: Barusso, Adjei, Asare, Afful, Alhassan, Asamoah, Dauda, Kingston, Kumordzi. Booked: Pantsil.

MOROCCO:Lamyaghri, Chretien, El Kaddouri, Ouaddou, Erbate, Kharja (Sektioui 46), Safri, Kabous (Kissi 90), Hadji, Aboucherouane (Zerka 55), Chamakh. Subs not used: Fouhami, Bagui, Alioui, Chahiri, El Karkouri, El-Moubarki, Alloudi, Mahdoufi, Mokhtari. Booked: Erbate, Kabous.

Referee: Modou Sowe (Gambia).