Ghana, Mali advance to quarters

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AP)– Ghana beat Niger 3-0 Monday night on goals by Asamoah Gyan, Christian Atsu and John Boye, advancing to am African Cup of Nations quarterfinal against Cape Verde.

Gyan put the Black Stars ahead in the sixth minute and crossed to set up Atsu’s goal in the 23rd. Boye scored in the 49th following Gyan’s header off a free kick.

At Durban, Mali tied Congo 1-1 and will play host South Africa in Saturday’s other quarterfinal.

Congo’s Lomana LuaLua hit a post 20 seconds in, and Mohamed Sissoko brought down Yves Ilunga just inside the penalty area 15 seconds later. Dieumerci Mbokani converted the penalty kick for Congo in the third minute, and Mahamadou Samassa tied the score in the 14th.

Ghana (2-0-1) won Group C, and Mali (1-1-1) finished second. Congo (0-0-3) was third, followed by Niger (0-2-1).