Franceville, Jan. 29, GNA- Ghana 's goal poacher, Asamoah Gyan has put the Black Stars 2-0 victory over the Malian Eagles to the united character of the team at the Africa Cup of Nations. After an ordinary first half that produced no thrills and no goals, the Stars came to light slightly after the break with Andre 'Dede' Ayew signalling the team's intent with a long range that was spilled by Mali's goalkeeper Sissoko Oumar.
The Stars, chasing a fifth continental trophy in three decades, needed a win to oil their path to the next stage of the competition and two individual efforts from Gyan and Ayew assured a step forward Gyan told GNA Sports in Franceville that "the team showed a lot of character and that made the difference. The first half was difficult because we did not let the Malians work. "We came back from the second half with new tactics to get them working everywhere on the pitch, using the flanks and our character showed through".
"We took responsibility and increased the steam for this win, which is very important for us.' Gyan enjoyed no breather throughout the first half. When Ayew was whacked eight minutes after the hour mark, the striker who has a rich spell of an average of a goal in every two games, stepped forward to effect the kick. Gyan and Emmanuel Agyeman Badu conferred briefly and soon, the former stepped forward to curl one over the wall that zoomed past keeper Oumah in post to gift Ghana the lead. Despite of the Stars progress, the striker insists it is earl days yet to start talking about winning the trophy.
"It is too early to start saying we will win the trophy. It is important for us to take it a game at a time. The wins will determine where we are going". He added. Ghana now leads the group on six points and will play Guinea in the final Group D game at the Franceville Stadium on Wednesday.
By Veronica Commey, (GNA Special Correspondent in Gabon, Courtesy Ministry of Youth and Sports)
Franceville, Jan. 29, GNA- Ghana 's goal poacher, Asamoah Gyan has put the Black Stars 2-0 victory over the Malian Eagles to the united character of the team at the Africa Cup of Nations. After an ordinary first half that produced no thrills and no goals, the Stars came to light slightly after the break with Andre 'Dede' Ayew signalling the team's intent with a long range that was spilled by Mali's goalkeeper Sissoko Oumar.
The Stars, chasing a fifth continental trophy in three decades, needed a win to oil their path to the next stage of the competition and two individual efforts from Gyan and Ayew assured a step forward Gyan told GNA Sports in Franceville that "the team showed a lot of character and that made the difference. The first half was difficult because we did not let the Malians work. "We came back from the second half with new tactics to get them working everywhere on the pitch, using the flanks and our character showed through".
"We took responsibility and increased the steam for this win, which is very important for us.' Gyan enjoyed no breather throughout the first half. When Ayew was whacked eight minutes after the hour mark, the striker who has a rich spell of an average of a goal in every two games, stepped forward to effect the kick. Gyan and Emmanuel Agyeman Badu conferred briefly and soon, the former stepped forward to curl one over the wall that zoomed past keeper Oumah in post to gift Ghana the lead. Despite of the Stars progress, the striker insists it is earl days yet to start talking about winning the trophy.
"It is too early to start saying we will win the trophy. It is important for us to take it a game at a time. The wins will determine where we are going". He added. Ghana now leads the group on six points and will play Guinea in the final Group D game at the Franceville Stadium on Wednesday.
By Veronica Commey, (GNA Special Correspondent in Gabon, Courtesy Ministry of Youth and Sports)
