The Black Stars of Ghana beat the Flames of Malawi by a solitary goal to book a place in the 2013 Cup of Nations to be hosted in South Africa. Afriyie Acquah who earned his first cap put the Stars ahead in what was only his first touch in Black Stars shirt. He pounced on a through ball from Dede Ayew and squeezed a little flick through the legs of the Flames goal keeper for the Stars opener six minutes into play. Gyan had early on forced a superb save from the Malawian goal keeper with a well taken free-kick. But the Flames were the exciting and the rugged of the two. With a bumpy pitch the Malawians dictated the pace of a the game in a desperate search for the equalizer. But the Stars defence was resolute with Vorsah and Boye standing tall. The Flames needed at least four goals to secure an upset and a qualification to South Africa 2013 having lost the first leg by 0-2 in Accra three weeks ago. But that was not to be. The Stars held on in what was a thoroughly physical game by the Flames with the referee watching on and keeping his cards in his pockets. The Flames dominated play but created next to nothing in terms of goal scoring opportunities. The closest they came was a 70th minute strike which whisked just wide. The victory, if anything will be crucial for Gyan who captained the side again and for Akwasi Appiah the only local coach to have been signed on officially by the FA with a working contract. Appiah will lead the Stars to South Africa as they chase their first Nations Cup glory in over 30 years. Incidentally Appiah was a member of the team which won the Nations Cup in 1982. Will he be successfull this time as a coach?