AFCON 2013 3rd place play-off: Mali vs Ghana preview

February 8, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Ghana v Mali 1-0For the second time in a row the two sides will meet in an Africa Cup of Nations 3rd-place play-off, with Mali emerging victorious at the 2012 tournament.

Les Aigles squeezed past the group stages, piping Congo DR to the second place in the group after recovering from the loss to Ghana in their second group game.

Patrice Carteron’s side then produced quite a coup by eliminating hosts South Africa to reach the semi-finals for the second time in a row.

Nevertheless, Mali were unable to cope with the pressure of expectations, producing their worst performance of the tournament to end up losing the game 4-1.

Les Aigles will have another chance to make things right as they face Ghana in the 3rd-place play-off, and they are now 4.00 (3/1) with BetFred to win in regular time.

Important midfielder Samba Diakite remains an injury doubt, while Cheick Diarra, Samba Sow and Adama Coulibaly are all pushing for starting places.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Samassa – Diawara, A. Coulibaly, Wague, Tamboura – Sow, M. Traore, Keita – C. Diarra, Samassa, S. Diarra.

After failing to live up to their potential at the past few tournament finals, Ghana arrived in South Africa hoping to finally lift the coveted title.

The Black Stars indeed produced some very good showings in group stage and eased off to the quarter-finals, where they recorded a hard-fought win over impressive Cape Verde.

Everything suggested Ghana would be able to qualify for the final as they were pitted against Burkina Faso in the semis, but it was simply not to be for Kwesi Appiah’s side.

Under the tremendous pressure, the Black Stars produced their first under-par showing of the tournament and went on to lose the game on penalties despite taking the lead through Wakaso Mubarak.

It now remains to be seen whether the team can recover from such a big blow and beat Mali for the second time at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

I certainly believe they can do it, and there seems to be a good value in betting on away win, at odds of 2.20 (6/5) offered at bet365.

Solomon Asante looks set to deputize for John Paintsil, who is out with a thigh problem, and that is likely to be the only change to the side that started the previous match.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Dauda – Asante, Boye, Vorsah, Afful – Badu, Rabiu, K. Asamoah – Atsu, Gyan, Wakaso.

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  1. Danladi Garba Riruwai says:

    Game is lucky victory is from god