Ghana advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations as Group D winners after a 1-1 draw with a 10-man Guinea in Franceville on Wednesday night.
The result ended Guinea's dreams of a place in the knockout stages after Mali defeated Botswana in the other pool match in Libreville.
Victory would have seen Syli Nationale through to the next round at the expense of Mali, but try as they might in the latter stages of the game they could not force a winner.
Ghana opened the scoring with a wonder-strike from Udinese midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, before Guinea hit back just before halftime with an equally spectacular, if more fortuitous, equaliser.
The Guineans thought they should have had a penalty on 12 minutes after Ibrahima Traoré appeared to be brought down by Black Stars goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey. They had a point, but South African referee Daniel Bennett waved to play on.
There was more frustration for Guinea as they had the ball in the back of the net just past the midway point of the half, but IbrahimaTraoré's effort was ruled out for offside. This time it looked the right call.
Just minutes later Ghana were ahead with the goal of the tournament so far. Agyemang-Badu collected the ball 30 yards out, flicked it in the air and volleyed home with immense power.
Asamoah Gyan also had a very good penalty shout turned down when he appeared to be blocked off by Kamil Zayatte in the Guinea area. Again, it looked a spot kick.
Samuel Inkoom just failed to turn the ball home after being set up by Gyan shortly afterwards and it was Guinea who would score next.
Abdoul Camara rampaged down the left wing and put in a cross that floated over Kwarasey and into the far corner of the net. It was an embarrassing moment for the goalkeeper, but in truth there was not much he could have done.
The second half fell well short of the first in terms of quality and excitement. Kwarasey did well to deny Ishmael Bangoura, while Sadio Diallo volleyed over when he really should have hit the target for Guinea.
Guinea were not helped by a second yellow card for Mamadou Bah, who left a foot in on John Paintsil and deserved his marching orders.
Ghana were able to play out the remaining minutes against 10 men fairly comfortably, with Prince Tagoe going closest to scoring, but he put his header wide of the target.
The Black Stars now advance to the quarter-finals, where they will play Tunisia, while Mali face co-hosts Gabon. Guinea go home.
