The senior national team of Ghana, the Black Stars booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the 2017 AFCON with an efficient 1-0 win over the Eagles of Mali today at the Stade de Port Gentil in Gabon.
The Stars moved to the top of Group D and are guaranteed a spot in the next round after holding-off a physical Mali side.
Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan scored the only goal of the match in the 21st minute when he powered home a header.
Much maligned Aston Villa player Jordan Ayew evaded his marker on the right hand side before he delivered a pin-point cross for Gyan to score his 50th goal for Ghana.
The Black Stars after their dance celebration paid homage to their injured teammate Baba Rahman with "Get Well Soon Baba" T-Shirts after he was ruled out of the tourney through injury.
A few minutes before that however, West Ham United man Andre Ayew missed the best chance of the match when he fired wide after some fantastic wing play from Newcastle United loanee Christian Atsu in the 16th minute.
The game followed the same routine of the Stars opener when they took an early lead onlt to spend vast parts of the second half under the cosh.
In the end, Ghana had to rely on the heroics of goalie Razak Brimah who stood between the Stars and defeat with some brilliant saves.