Mubarak Wakaso scored a first-half penalty as Ghana took a big stride towards the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup when they beat Mali 1-0 yesterday.

The 22-year-old converted the 38th minute kick to take Ghana above Mali in the Group B standings with four points from their opening two matches, with a final group game against Niger to come in Port Elizabeth on Monday.

Wakaso was immediately booked after scoring for displaying a religious slogan when he lifted up his jersey to reveal “Allah is Great” emblazoned on his T-shirt. It was his second yellow of the tournament and he will now miss the match against Niger.

The win was fully deserved after the Black Stars out-played the team who had beaten them to third place at the last finals.

The other group match between Niger and Democratic Republic of Congo was goalless.