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Africa Cup of Nations 2012 - Third Place Play-Off: Ghana vs. Mali
Saturday 11 February 2012
In the Estadio Nuevo, Malabo later tonight the match takes place that no team would aim to play in - the 3rd place play-off between Ghana and Mali, the semi-final losers.
Whilst Mali may have exceeded expectations in getting to the semi-finals, Ghana were among the favourites and were perhaps expected to make the finals in their aim to end 30 years without the trophy. Both teams should be playing for pride and third place. Arguably this match, free of much of the pressure of other games, will produce an entertaining match.
The sides met in the group stages, earlier in the tournament, with Ghana running out 2-0 winners, thanks to goals from a stunning Asamoah Gyan free-kick and a splendidly skilful goal from Andre Ayew. However, Mali Coach, Alain Giresse believes his team have learned their lessons during the tournament and is confident of reversing that result. In this game Mali will be helped by several absences from the Ghana team. Captain John Mensah is out with a thigh injury, whilst a knee injury has side-lined Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu. Mensah has been influential at both ends of the pitch, whilst midfielder Badu has impressed in a box-to-box role, breaking up opponent’s attacks and joining Ghana’s own, scoring against Botswana in the group games. Due to suspensions, Ghana will also be missing playmaker Derek Boateng and the young centre-back John Boye who has come to prominence during the tournament. Originally taken as back up to Mensah and Isaac Vorsah, Boye’s performances have been so good as to earn him a starting place in each match until today.
Mali, a young team, led by veterans Seydou Keita and Cedric Kante reached the semi-finals for the first time since 2004 and the progress has been notable considering so many of their more established players have been absent, either through injury or unavailability. The Eagles will be aiming for victory over the Black Stars and claiming third place, which would be the highest Mali have ever finished in the tournament. Mali may also be encouraged by seemingly having the happier camp. In reaching the semi-finals they only lost to the Ivory Coast - considered by many to be the strongest team in the continent - by a single goal. Ghana meanwhile, were shocked to lose by the same scoreline to Zambia.
There are rumours that the Black Stars Coach, Goran Stevanovic may lose his job, as Stevanovic himself said he would resign if Ghana did not win the trophy. Rumours have also been circulating of unhappiness of the Serbian’s handling of Kevin Prince-Boateng, who having been one of Ghana’s stars at the 2010 World Cup, announced his retirement from international football before the tournament, as well as regards to some of his decision making during this Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite this, the hope will be with so much promising talent on both sides, such as the Ayew brothers and Kojo Asamoah for Ghana and Cheick Diabate for Mali that the bronze medal match will serve up a treat of football as a prelude to the final.
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