Stars beat Mali for quarters

The Black Stars of Ghana underlined their superiority over their West African neighbours Mali with a hard fought 2-0 victory in the second Group D game in Franceville, Gabon.

Two breathtaking goals in the second half by Asamoah Gyan and Dede Ayew meant the Stars book qualification into the quarter final stage of the competition.

It was cagey and perhaps was not the true reflection of the game but the Stars stood up to be counted when it mattered most.

Typical of a West African derby, the game started on a rather slow note with a feisty midfield tussle with little chances from both sides.

It was Kwodwo Asamoah who fired a thunderbolt from 25 yards, forcing Diakite to parry it back into play but Sulley Muntari's rebound was just a whisker away.

The Stars began to mount pressure on the Eagles with some sweet sublime movement from Sulley, Gyan and Asamoah but failed to create any goal scoring opportunity.

In the 33rd minute, it was the Udinese star again who after turning his markers inside out fired another thunderbolt similar to his first but this time flew past the face of goal.

More soon;