CAPE TOWN — Debutant Afriyie Acquah's early goal for Ghana ensured the Black Stars became the first team to qualify for the 2013 African Cup of Nations as it beat Malawi 1-0 in Lilongwe Saturday. Ghana went into the match with a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, and Acquah's strike after just two minutes ensured the four-time champion will be present in South Africa early next year. Mali delivered a firm statement of its abilities as it thrashed Botswana 4-1 in Gaborone, meaning the Eagles qualify on an aggregate score of 7-1, but defending champion Zambia required a penalty shootout to progress at the expense of Uganda by a score of 9-8. Zambia held a 1-0 advantage going into the second-leg clash in Kampala, but Geoffrey Massa's first-half strike drew the hosts level in the tie, which went to a penalty shootout after 90 minutes. Chipolopolo won the 2012 African championships in a dramatic shootout against Ivory Coast, and they held their nerve again to beat Uganda and book their place in next year's finals, to be held in South Africa. Mali led 1-0 at the break, but underlined its dominance with three second-half strikes before Botswana claimed a late consolation goal. Kiwis earn vital win Shane Smeltz moved into outright second as New Zealand's highest scorer as the All Whites completed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Tahiti in their Oceania World Cup qualifying clash in Papeete Friday. Smeltz stabbed the ball home in the first half to grab his 23rd international goal and move one ahead of Steve Sumner and five behind record holder Vaughan Coveny. Defender Ben Sigmund then powered home a header with less than 10 minutes remaining to ensure Ricki Herbert's side remained unbeaten and moved to nine points. New Caledonia had earlier closed the gap on New Zealand with winger Georges Gopes-Fenepej scoring a hat-trick in their 6-2 demolition of the Solomon Islands in Honiara for their second win of the qualifying tournament. The final stage of qualifying in the Oceania region consists of a single pool of the four teams, all playing each other home and away. The winner of the pool advances to face the fourth-placed team from the Central and North American and Caribbean confederation (CONCACAF) in a two-legged playoff for a spot in Brazil. — Agencies
