Domany Dore, Guinea Sports Minister, on Thursday night in Dakar, after the national team reached Afcon’s last eight by the luck of the draw, dedicated their progress to the victims of Ebola.

Nearly 22,100 people have been infected in the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone with some 8,800 deaths since the Ebola outbreak started in Guinea in December 2013.

“We dedicate the qualification for the Afcon second round to all Ebola victims.

“We are moving forward step by step on behalf of all Ebola affected people, we hope a final victory will soothe all Guineans’ fears,’’ he added.

Guinea was Thursday drawn by lots to reach the quarter-finals, eliminating Mali from the tournament after both had ended tied in the group stage.

Guinea will now face Ghana in the quarter-finals on Sunday in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

Youth and youth Employment Moustapha Naite said the Ebola-stricken people of Guinea needed this great moment of delight.

“Guinean people have experienced a dire Ebola epidemic and I hope this qualification will help heal our grief,’’ he said.

In the other quarter-finals, Congo would play Democratic Republic of Congo in Bata on Saturday, Tunisia would also on Saturday face Equatorial Guinea in Bata, while Ivory Coast would meet Algeria in Malabo on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the WHO said the international fight against Ebola in West Africa was now focused on ending the outbreak.

Last week no fewer than 100 new infections were reported in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone for the first time since June.