Asamoah Gyan handed over his penalty kick duties to Mubarak Wakaso who scored from the spot to give Ghana a 1-0 win against Mali at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
The win on Thursday in Port Elizabeth breathed life into the Black Stars’ campaign, who are now joint top in Group B after a 2-2 draw in the opening fixture in Group B with DR Congo.
Wakaso gave Ghana the 37th minute lead with his kick sailing past the diving Malian goalkeeper Samassa Mamadou.
Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah on the eve of the match had promised a great performance from his side and the Black Stars indeed gave a convincing account of themselves to give them a sight at the quarter-finals.
Mali had the first chance at goal in the 5th minute when John Boye’s indecision played in Seydou Keita, who was closing at goal but he was denied by the hands of goalkeeper Fatau Dauda, who slipped outside the box for a freekick.
Keita’s effort missed narrowly and Ghana some minutes later responded when Gyan shrugged off a challenge from N’diaye Mahamadou but his shot deflected off his marker in the 12th minute.
As the game approached the half-hour mark, Ghana went very close but Agyemang Badu’s header went off the post with the sprawling Mamadou completely beaten.
Four minutes later, Ghana were awarded a penalty after Agyemang Badu, who was running onto a pass by Gyan was brought down in the box by Tamboura.
Wakaso struck from the spot, his first goal at the Nations Cup to give the lead. And in injury time of the first half, Dauda had to pluck a ball in mid-air before the advancing Diabate Cheick Tidiane could cause any problems for Ghana.
The second period started with Mali on the offensive as they brought on striker Modibo Maiga but Ghana's rear guard of John Painstil, Harrison Afful, John Boye and Vorsah proved resolute with commanding displays.
Ghana’s bench made their first change in the 70th minute with the introduction of Christian Atsu for the injured Wakaso with Derek Boateng also coming on Kwadwo Asamoah seven minutes later.
With seven minutes remaining, Solomon Asante was handed his tournament debut when he replaced Albert Adomah and seconds later, he announced his presence with a shot from outside the box that was a few inches wide from goal.
In a nervy finish, Mali, with a greater height advantage preferred the long balls as Ghana played on the break till the final whistle was sounded.