LEAD: Ghana nearly there, Guinea back in the mix

By Peter Auf der Heyde Jan 28, 2012, 21:35 GMT

Libreville, Gabon - An outstanding second half performance ensured Ghana a 2-0 victory against Mali on Saturday at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The win in Franceville sees the Black Stars all but guaranteed a place in the second round ahead of their final group D match on Wednesday against Guinea, who crushed 10-man Botswana 6-1 in the earlier game.

Ghana top the group on six points, while Guinea and Mali each have three. Even Botswana still have a chance - mathematically - of advancing.

Ghana, who are one of the favorites to win the tournament, were under pressure against a gallant Mali side in the first half and could quite easily have fallen behind six minutes from the break as a Cheick Diabate free-kick hit both uprights, before bouncing back into play.

In the second half Asamoah, Gyan gave the Black Stars the lead with a wonderful free-kick he curled around the wall in the 64th minute.

A brilliant piece of individual play 12 minutes later saw Andre Ayew score Ghana's second, as he ran rings around his markers before unleashing a powerful shot past goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite.

In the earlier match in the same stadium, Guinea proved far too strong for Botswana as Sadio Diallo scored a brace for his side, while Abdoul Camara, Ibrahima Traore, Mamadou Bah and Naby Soumah scored the others for the Syli Nationale.

Botswana top scorer Dipsey Selowane got the first-ever goal for the team from southern Africa, who had substitute Patrick Motsepe sent off late in the first half.

Guinea, who lost their opening match to Mali, should have won by an even higher score in front of another disappointingly small crowd.

Diallo opened the scoring in the 15th minute, but Selowane equalized eight minutes later with a penalty. Goalkeeper Naby Yattara saved the initial spot-kick, but the referee ruled that it should be re-taken, and Selowane chose the opposite corner, giving Yattara no chance.

Diallo put his side back in front in the 28th minute, and Camara gave them a comfortable lead four minutes from the break.

Motsepe received his marching orders for a dangerous over-the-top challenge on Pascal Feindouno, and from the resulting free-kick Traore scored his side's fourth just before the break.

Guinea nearly grabbed another midway through the second half when television replays showed that Feindouno's long-range effort should have counted, but the referee waved play on, ruling that the ball had not crossed the line.

There was, however, time for two more goals for Guinea as Bah scored with a thunderous strike from well outside the area with six minutes to go, and two minutes later substitute Soumah scored his side's sixth after breaking into the area and beating goalkeeper Modiri Marumo.

Earlier in the week co-hosts Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, as well as Tunisia and Ivory Coast, qualified for the quarter-finals at the event, which continues through February 12.