Egypt reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals as Group D winners with a 1-0 win over Ghana in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations clash at the Stade de Port-Gentil in Gabon on Wednesday.

Mohamed Salah netted the decider in the 11th minute, lashing in a free-kick through a gap in Ghana’s defensive wall into the top corner of the net.

Black Stars controlled the possession in the first half but they were lucky not to absorb another goal in the 39th minute.A mistake by Ghana keeper Brimah Razak presented Marwan Mohsen with a chance but he shot over the bar.

Ghana best chance of the half came in 40th minute when Daniel Amartey rose up high for a header having found a space at the edge but his effort went few centimetres wide.

The second half was a balance affair with Black Stars again becoming the first to threaten when Emmanuel Badu low drive brought a decent save from Essam El Hadary.

Jordan Ayew also had his shot well grabbed by impressive goalie in the 90th minute to deny Black Stars an equalizer.

The win secures Egyptian easy passage to the next round and will be joining Ghana who finished on the second spot above Mali and Uganda.

Line-ups

Egypt: El Hadary; A.Fathi, Ali Gabr, A.Hegazy, El Mohamady- Elneny, El Said (Warda 76′), Tarek Hamed – Trezeguet, Marawan Mohsen (Kahraba 69′), M.Salah

Ghana: Razak; Mensah, Boye, Amartey, Afful – Yiadom, Tetteh (Tekpetey 72′), Agyemang-Badu (Wakaso Mubarak 80′) – A.Ayew, Gyan (J.Ayew 41′), Atsu