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Ghana Gains 2017 AFCON Quarter-Final Ticket Thanks To Gyan Goal

Ghana Gains 2017 AFCON Quarter-Final Ticket Thanks To Gyan Goal

A goal from Asamoah Gyan secured Ghana a 1-0 win over Mali in their second 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Group D match at Stade de Port-Gentil on Saturday evening, thereby earning the Black Stars a quarter-final berth.

It was the second win out of two for the Ghanaians, ensuring their top spot on the log with six points, and a definite spot in the last eight as a result.

A strong Black Stars defence held strong to stop all Malian efforts, while a 21st minute moment of brilliance from Gyan handed the Ghanaians the lead and victory thanks to a wonderful header from Jordan Ayew’s sublime cross.

In the later Group D game Egypt beat Uganda 1-0 at Port-Gentil on Saturday, mathematically eliminating the Cranes from their first tournament in 39 years thanks to Ghana’s earlier win over Mali.

A 89th minute strike from the Pharaohs was enough to settle matters, with Mohamed Salah setting up Abdallah Said for the decisive goal.

Egypt have moved to second place with four points and are well placed to join the Black Stars in the next round.

Group C heats up

Meanwhile in Friday’s Group C action, Cote D’Ivoire drew 2-2 with the Democratic Republic of Congo while Morocco triumphed 3-1 over Togo.

Junior Kabananga set-up his Congolese teammate Neeskens Kebano in the 10th minute, and the player’s low shot beat Ivory Coast goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo.

Wilfried Bony scored from a header on 26 minutes to equalise, before Kabananga’s header restored the lead for DR Congo.

In the 67th minute the defending champions managed to earn their equaliser after sustained pressure, with Serey Die’s long range effort deflecting off Marcel Tisserand and into the back of the net to make it 2-2.

In the other Group C match the Atlas Lions of Morocco showed their mettle against Togo, emerging 3-1 winners on the night.

Mathieu Dossevi opened the scoring for Claude Le Roy’s men in the early stages of the match, but goals from Aziz Bouhaddouz, Romain Saïss and Youssef En-Nesyri ensured a three-point haul for the North Africans.

DR Congo top the standings with four points, Morocco have three, while Cote D’Ivoire are on two and Togo only one.

Morocco face defending champions Cote D’Ivoire on Tuesday while Togo take on the Democratic Republic of Congo.