Ghana needed a controversial penalty to beat South Africa 1-0 in their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier match played at Cape Coast Stadium on Sunday.
South Africa were the dominant force from start of the game but wasted many goal scoring opportunities before being punished by Andre Ayew controversial goal.
Ghana, who are fighting for their fourth World Cup appearance, looked sluggish in a cagey affair at the bumpy pitch.
After 33 minutes, the Black Stars were awarded a controversial penalty kick by referee Ndiaye Maguette after defender De Rueck was adjudged to have brought Daniel Amartey down inside the box.
Andre Ayew sent South Africa custodian Ronwen Williams the wrong way for his fourth goal of the World Cup qualifiers.
South Africa had the best chances in the first half with Percy Tau guilty of putting the ball over the bar from six yards out and then directing a header straight at the keeper.
The dominance continued after the break and on the hour mark Ethan Brooks saw the ball rebound twice off the woodwork within a matter of seconds.
First Sepana Letsolao shot bounced off the ground onto the bar and the ball fell to Nyiko Mobbie whose follow up was deflected onto the post and Ghana scrambled it away.
Kamaldeen Sulemana came close to doubling up the scores for Ghana but his rocket inside the danger zone missed the target seven minutes into the second half.
South Africa came close to levelling matters in the 76th minute, but goalkeeper Joseph Wollacott full stretch save from a Thibang Phete corner kick rescued the soldiers.
Ghana midfielder Alexander Djiku had a fine chance in the closing stages of the match , but could only direct his shot over the crossbar.
Black Stars did well in added minutes to thwart Bafana and secured maximum points to advance to the play-off round while Bafana fail to qualify for yet another World Cup.
Here’s how they started:
Ghana: Wollacott, Yiadom, Rahman, Djiku, Amartey, Kudus, Wakaso, A. Ayew, Baba, J. Ayew, Sulemana.
South Africa: Williams, Mobbie, Xulu, De Reuck, Mashego, Phete, Mokoena, Brooks, Hlongwane, Tau, Letsoalo
