Mali's Abdou Traore, left, challenges Ghana's Andre Dede Ayew, right, during their African Cup of Nations Group D soccer match at the Stade de Franceville in Franceville, Gabon, Saturday Jan. 28, 2012. (Photo: AP)
Best player: Sadio Diallo (Guinea)
Diallo set Guinea on their way to an impressive 6-1 victory over Botswana by scoring the first two goals.
He positioned himself well to score twice in almost similar fashion, converting low crosses from close range as Guinea ran riot to register their first win of the tournament.
Watch Diallo’s brace
Best goal: Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)
The Sunderland striker, who is now on loan at UAE side Al-Ain, scored a sublime free kick to give Ghana the lead over Mali three minutes past the hour mark.
His curling long-range effort sailed over the wall and past Mali’s diving keeper Soumbeyla Diakite.
Watch Gyan’s free-kick
Brief overview
Ghana showed flashes of their strength with a strong second-half showing to down a spirited Mali side and bag maximum six points from two games.
They were helped by impressive displays from Udinese’s attacking midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah and striker Asamoah Gyan, who scored one of the goals and set up Andre Ayew for the other.
In the other Group D game, Guinea opened the floodgates to thrash Botswana 6-1 and equal the Nations Cup record for the biggest winning margin.
Their pace, agility and vitality were too good for minnows Botswana, who still have a mathematical chance of booking a last-eight berth despite suffering two consecutive defeats.
Catch of the day: Free-kick strikes both posts
Mali were unlucky not to score against Ghana when a free-kick by Tidiane Diabate hit one post, ran across the goal line, hit the opposite pole and bounced to safety.
Watch Diabate’s free-kick (from 1:03)
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