Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan eased the pressure back home after handing Rennes the winner in last Saturday's 2-1 win over Le Mans in the French Ligue 1.
Gyan is facing a possible punishment from the Ghana Football Association for refusing to travel with the Black Stars for an international friendly against Angola.
The 23-year-old and two others have come under intense criticism for gross indiscipline as some fans are calling for the dismissal from the team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
But the former Udinese player has proven his importance after he scored his seventh Ligue 1 goal this term.
Gyan scored 10 minutes from time to condemn Le Mans to their seventh successive away defeat as they remain second from bottom of Ligue 1.
Kader Mangane gave Rennes an early lead before Rolland Lamah levelled for the visitors but Gyan's late decider means Le Mans are still searching for their first away point this season.
