Ghana’s Black Stars brushed aside a gritty Swazi side 3-0 to begin their 2012 Nations Cup campaign on a sumptuous note. The Kings Shield were chasing their first appearance in the Nations Cup and looked determined to make a case against Africa’s World Cup heroes but it was Dede Ayew who started the Stars’ thumping with a delicate one-time touch to a cap a superb cross on the left by Kwodwo Asamoah. Prince Tagoe and Hans Adu Sarpei nailed the coffin in the second half, but the score-line was not a true reflection of the game. The Swazis were a compact side, fluid in defence and in midfield but lacked ideas upfront. They started strong and kept the Stars silent at least for the first ten minutes. The Black Stars showed individual class and brilliance but not the team quality that catapulted them to the quarter finals stage of the World Cup. One such class saw Udinese’s Kwodwo Asamoah take on three defenders on the left flank, outwitted them and snuff a teasing pass to Dede Ayew whose touch of brilliance left the Swazi goal keeper completely beaten. The Stars should have increased the tally. Twice, Prince Tagoe came close to scoring but his first attempt from an Asamoah Gyan cross whisked just wide and his second, a header, took a ricochet of the goal post. Swazi’s Dennis Massimo was easily the brightest spot for the Southern African side but his penalty appeal from a well timed Isaac Vorsah tackle was overlooked by referee Rajindraparsad. Massimo came close for an equalizer but his teasing free-kick missed Swazi heads and those of the Stars, whisking just wide from goal. The King’s Shield were sublime in the second half. They were swift, looked more refined with their passing game and kept the Stars defending for most part, but never even once threaten Richard Kingson. Lee Addy and Isaac Vorsah proved equal to a Swazi attack that was begging for experience. Danger man Dennis Massimo once again tried a left bicycle-style volley which was of no consequence to Kingson. For once, Prince Tagoe proved why he should be paired with the Stars lead striker Asamoah Gyan as he latched onto a pass from the new Sunderland signing, took a snap shot of the Swazi goalkeeper before delivering a bullet which zoomed into the bottom left corner for the Stars’ second. Tagoe was again played through by Gyan but shot amazingly wide from close range. Sarpei again started a lofty attack on the left to locate Kwodwo Asamoah whose immaculate cross was poorly defended, offering an opportunity for Hans Adu Sarpei to clinch his very first goal for the Black Stars in 36 appearances. The traditional Swaziland side were gracious in defeat. They gave everything but got nothing to show for it thanks to an efficient Black Stars performance. 3-0 it ended in favour of the Black Stars. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana