Two moments of inspiration from Asamoah Gyan helped Ghana beat Mali 2-0 in the Nations Cup Saturday where it was nonetheless upstaged by Guinea's record-equalling six-goal performance against Botswana. Gyan added to the tournament's impressive list of freekick goals with a 30-meter effort and his cheeky backheel set up a superb second for Dede Ayew in the Group D match in Franceville. Although the goals were stylish, the performance itself was unconvincing and paled against Guinea's 6-1 demolition of 10-man debutants Botswana, who Ghana was lucky to beat 1-0 Tuesday. Guinea equalled Ivory Coast's 6-1 win over Ethiopia at the 1970 edition in Sudan for the biggest winning-margin in the tournament. Unfortunately, few fans witnessed the double bill in the remote city deep in Gabon's forested interior as the stadium was once again half empty. Ghana has won both of its opening matches but, like co-favorite Ivory Coast, does not look as if it has fully got into gear. It will, however, be relieved to have avoided the fate of Morocco and Senegal, surprisingly eliminated already in a tournament which has seen co-hosts Gabon and Equatorial Guinea qualify with a game to spare. Group D is the only one in which the top two places are still up for grabs. Ghana, with six points, needs a draw against Guinea, who has three, to guarantee reaching the quarterfinals while Mali, also on three, faces the group's bottom side Botswana. Slow-starting Ghana survived a first-half fright when Cheick Tidiane Diabate's freekick bounced off both posts before rebounding back into play as once runners-up and three-time beaten semi-finalists Mali looked capable of an upset. United Arab Emirates-based Gyan had more luck with his effort just after the hour as it curled over the wall and flew into the top corner to put the Black Stars in front. Shortly afterwards, he backheeled the ball to Ayew who twisted past his marker and fired a low shot past Soumbeyla Diakite to clinch the points for the 2010 World Cup quarterfinalists. In the first game, Sadio Diallo scored Guinea's first two goals followed by Abdoul Razzagui Camara and Ibrahim Traore, all before halftime, and two late efforts from Mamadou Dioulde Bah and substitute Naby Soumah. Dipsy Selolwane had briefly made it 1-1 from a twice-taken penalty but Botswana played the entire second half with 10 men after Patrick Motsepe was sent off after for a dangerous tackle. Guinea might have set a new mark had Pascal Feindouno's 55th minute effort that crossed the line after hitting the underside of the bar been awarded. The co-hosts Saturday announced that it had rewarded caretaker coach Gilson Paulo by giving him a one-year contract.
