TEAM NEWS

Ghana and Mali meet for the second time in the competition in the third place play-off, after both losing their semi-finals on Wednesday.

The Black Stars are likely to make a number of changes, with John Boye and Derek Boateng suspended and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and John Mensah injured.

Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic is also likely to give an opportunity to squad members who have not yet played.

Mali coach Alain Giresse may also opt to field some more peripheral players.



The countries had never clashed in 27 previous tournaments, but now meet for the second time in 15 days.

The two sides met in Franceville in their second group match, with the Black Stars winning 2-0, courtesy of Asamoah Gyan and Andre 'Dede' Ayew strikes.

Ghana went on to top Group D, ahead of Mali, after producing arguably their best performance against the Eagles, in a tournament that would ultimately end in disappointment for both.

Gyan went on to miss a vital penalty in Ghana's 1-0 semi-final defeat to Zambia, leading to Ghana players publicly rallying around the striker ahead of this tie.

"We all know that it can happen to anyone to miss a penalty," captain Mensah said.

"We just keep on encouraging him.

"I told Asamoah to concentrate on Mali."

The Malians, meanwhile, say they are proud of their achievement in reaching this stage of the competition, despite their 1-0 semi-final defeat to Ivory Coast.

"I'm happy, because I'm here today, because we were in the semi-final, and I'm going to try hard to get third place," Mali defender Ousmane Berthe said.

Both teams are likely to use the fixture as a chance to prepare for the upcoming qualifying campaigns for the 2013 Nations Cup and 2014 World Cup finals.

Ghana should go for 3rd place, I am happy Zambia crashed them mumu , Ghana Must Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

I go for Mali

born2fuck:

Ghana should go for 3rd place, I am happy Zambia crashed them mumu , Ghana Must Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Ghana loves u too

I go for Ghana! my motherland I SALUTE

Mali will still pip Ghana to 3rd place

otumfour:

Ghana loves u too

I go for Ghana! my motherland I SALUTE

since zambia match na now i see you oh Gyan loves hurting you guys

^^^

Ghana should calm down and win this one.
Gyan should play His game and really concentrate on taking His chances when they come. Nobody will hang him if He does not get a chance but missing early opportunities and not winning the game will hurt millions of Blackstars supporters in Ghana and Nigeria. Ghana must really go now for the bronze

On a night I'm tiping Ghana to win a third place prize in the AFCON, I expect Michael Essien to help score a goal for MY struggling Chelsea side already a goal down at Goodison park . At least to set the stage for double celebration for Ghanaians tonight

[size=18pt]GHANA will WIN[/size]
They are better than Mali

Game on

/

lets go

mali to score the first goal

Mali showing class

mukina2:

mali to score the first goal

you see wtin your husband Adebayor they do to newcastle , 4 assists and a goal

diabete again 1 -0 mali

Ghana 1 goal down
this is very interesting

davidylan:

where is the game? all i see is business news from channels

Look for the links on Live Football match on the site

mukina i hate u. who made u mod any way? no valentines gifts for u!

Ghan all hope is not lost. Let go there. I foresee 2.1 in favour of Ghana

Second half begins S. Muntary on Abu off better . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ghana all the way

Nice attempt by the Ghanians though offside

Good attempt still, K.K for Ghana

Nice finish by Muntary, however the flag goes for offside. Let go there

Eyah for GH

Free kick for Ghana

goal annulato

Mukina update the score line. . . to 0.1