Egypt get the better of Ghana to progress to AFCON quarter-finals

Egypt finished as Group D winners

EGYPT managed to snatch top spot in Group D at the 2017 African Nations Cup after defeating Ghana 1-0, simultaneously ending Mali’s hopes of qualification to the quarter-finals.

Egypt came out the blocks flying and took the lead after just 11 minutes, Mohamed Salah firing his free-kick straight through the wall to nestle the ball in the top left corner, leaving goalkeeper Razak Braimah no chance.

The Black Stars’ hopes were further pegged back as inspirational captain Asamoah Gyan needed to go off injured shortly before the half-time whistle, and they were unable to find a way back, eventually having to settle for second place in the group.

Meanwhile, Mali could only muster a draw against Uganda, and third place in the group, after the sides’ simultaneous kick-off finished 1-1.

In what proved almost unplayable conditions at Stade d’Oyem, Uganda managed to register their first goal in Gabon, and indeed a first at the AFCON finals since 1978, and it proved to be a real collector’s piece from Faruku Miya, whose long-range shot flew into the back of the net.

Mali weren’t to be denied a goal of their own, though, and drew themselves level just four minutes later, Yves Bissouma producing a sublime effort of his own from a free-kick to make it 1-1, although with Egypt beating Ghana, any result against Uganda was inconsequential in the group standings. kickoff.com

2017 African Nations Cup quarter-finals:

Burkina Faso v Tunisia

Egypt v Morocco

Senegal v Cameroon

DR Congo v Ghana