Black Stars’ deputy captain Andre Ayew has told Class Sports he was bent on playing the game against Mali despite struggling with a bout of malaria in the last 48 hours.

The player surprisingly lasted the entire duration of the game, which ended with a lone goal victory for Ghana.

“I was bent on playing the game and contributing my quota to the team’s effort. The team needed me and I had to do everything possible to be a part of the game. The backroom staff really did a good job on me and ensured that I played my part, so credit to them as well, he told Class Sports’ Kwame Dwomoh-Agyemang.

The Stars now have to beat the Pharaohs of Egypt or pick up a point to hold on to the top spot in the group.