The Black Stars of Ghana have chalked up a superb victory against Guinea in a crucial Nations Cup qualifier played at the Tamale Sports Stadium Wednesday.

Gyan tapped in from close range before winning a penalty which was expertly converted by Dede Ayew.

Emmanuel Agyemang Badu put the game beyond the reach of the visitors who had early on secured a crucial equaliser.

The game was crucial in many respects. Both sides needed maximum points to consolidate a place in next year's nations cup after the first leg ended 1-1 in Morocco only four days ago.

The Stars were playing in front of a fanatic Tamale crowd for the first time and needed to impress, a feat they accomplished in stupendous fashion.

Asamoah Gyan's gentle tap to a selfless pass from Jordan Ayew in the 14th minute sent the stadium agog.

It was Solomon Asante who initiated the attack beating two Guinean markers before releasing Jordan Ayew.

Baba Rahman had early on missed a glorious chance to put the home side ahead after his curly shot went agonizingly wide.

In the 25th minute, the Stars had the opportunity to increase the tally but Jordan Ayew struck low from close range into the path of the Guinean goal keeper who parried for a corner.

Two minutes later Gyan failed to connect a superb cross from Harrison Afful  with the visitors desperately clearing the lines.

Against the run of play, Guinea drew level thanks to Mohammed Yattara who capitalized on a poorly defended freekick bouncing the ball off the ground and beating an oncoming Stephen Adams.

One all it was in the 33rd minute and the Guineans were looking to write the same script in Morocco [the first leg ended 1-1 in Morocco] but the Stars had other ideas in the second half.

Gyan who was always a thorn in the flesh of the Guinean defence men struck again but his goal bound shot hit the arm of the defender with the referee pointing to the spot.

Gyan, who used to be Ghana's first choice penalty taker, had vacated that responsibility with Dede Ayew stepping up to the challenge.

With great confidence, Ayew converted the penalty, once again sending the a charged stadium into a frenzy.

The visitors lifted up their game, pounding the Ghana goal area but failing to draw parity.

Sit-in coach Maxwell Konadu made a tactical switch bringing on Edwin Gyima for Jordan Ayew to shore up Ghana's midfield.

But the visitors remained undaunted. In the 80th minute, they should have gotten the equaliser but their striker's immaculate tap inched wide.

Deep in added time, substitute Agyemang Badu in a swift counter attack, deepened the woes of the visitors by placing the ball beyond the reach of the goal keeper for Ghana's third goal.

With that emphatic victory Ghana cemented their position on top of Group E with eight points followed by Togo with six points.

Ghana's neighbours secured a back-to-back 1-0 victory against Uganda putting them back in contention for a place in Morocco, next year.

Uganda and Guinea are both tied at the base of the table with four points apiece.