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Ghana maintained their place at the top Group I of the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers on Friday thanks to a 3-1 win over ten-man Congo.
Second-half goals by Isaac Vorsah, Prince Tagoe and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu sealed the victory for the Black Stars in Kumasi.
Congo got the consolation through striker Matt Moussilou.
The Congolese were undone by the dismissal of key defender Bruce Abdoulaye for a second bookable.
Michael Essien marked his international return from an 18-month absence by playing a leading role in the win.
The Chelsea midfielder, back for the first time since the 2010 finals after ending a self-imposed exile, set up an early chance with a rasping shot that the visiting goalkeeper spilled.
Ghana struck two quickfire goals midway through the second half thanks to Vorsah and Tagoe.
Moussilou took advantage of a mistake by goalkeeper Richard Kingson to pull a goal back for Congo with 15 minutes left but Agyemang-Badu made it 3-1 to Ghana with a long-range shot.
Leaders Ghana have 10 points from four games in Group I followed by Sudan on seven.
Source: BBC