( CNN ) -- Ghana , the four time champion of the African Cup of Nations , took a giant step towards qualifying for the quarterfinals following a 1-0 win over Mali in South Africa Thursday . Mubarak Wakaso 's 38th minute penalty was enough to separate the two teams in a game which the Black Stars dominated . But the contest could have turned out in a very diferent fashion had Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda been sent off for deliberately handling the ball outside of his penalty area . Mourinho mentors Cape Verde 's 'Special One ' The incident occurred with just eight minutes played in Port Elizabeth when Dauda clearly used his hands to field the ball and deny Mali a clear effort on goal . The referee remarkably only produced a yellow card , a decision which was later criticized by Mali coach Patrice Carteron . He told reporters : `` The referee did not help us because he ought to have sent off the Ghana goalkeeper rather than just booking him for handling the ball outside his area . `` Ghana was better , especially in the first half , but we still have a game to qualify for the next round and so we will forget this match and focus on our next game . '' After the early let-off , Ghana began to assert itself and came close to taking the lead when Emmanuel Agyeman Badu crashed a header against the post . Africa Cup of Nations 2013 : The teams . But Ghana did n't have to wait long for the breakthrough as Wakaso stroked home from the spot following Adam Tamboura 's foul on Agyeman Badu . Mali tried to force an equalizer after the break and Seydou Keita came close to connecting with Mahamane Traore 's pass , but Ghana held out for the points . `` We were much more tactically disciplined in this game than against DR Congo , but I know we can do a lot better than we did today , '' Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah told reporters . Captain Asamoah Gyan added : `` It was a difficult game . We needed to win and now we have four points , but we need more to qualify to the next stage and so we will not underrate Niger . '' The result leaves Ghana at the top of Group B on four points from its two games , one point clear of Mali going into the final round of games . In the day 's other game , Niger held on for its first ever point at the Africa Cup of Nations after holding Democratic Republic of Congo to a goalless draw . `` With such great players from Niger , you can only be proud of them , '' Niger coach Gernot Rohr told reporters . `` I 'm very happy we have made some kind of history by collecting our first Cup of Nations point . We have made some progress in this competition after losing all three matches in Gabon last year . '' Niger 's Modibo Sidibe wasted his side 's best chance on 10 minutes when he ran clear on goal only to fire his effort against the base of the post . Fuad Ibrahim eyes Africa Cup of Nations chance . Dieumerci Mbokani went close for the Leopards , having his fierce effort well saved by Niger goalkeeper Daouda Kassaly . West Bromwich Albion midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu then fired wide as Democratic Republic of Congo continued to pile on the pressure . Niger 's Kassaly continued to keep his side in the contest with a couple of outstanding saves , while at the other end , Moussa Maazou went close with a header . Ghana , which last won the competition in 1982 , will face Niger in its final group game on Monday with Mali taking on Democratic Republic of Congo .
Ghana defeats Mali 1 - 0 in Port Elizabeth to top Group B. Mubarak Wakaso scores winner from the penalty spot for the Black Stars . Ghana hold Democratic Republic of Congo to goalless draw . Ghana takes away from Mali with one group game remaining .