Ghana will be looking to make amends for the opening draw against Congo DR when they take on Mali, a team that are in good position to qualify after recording a hard-fought victory over Niger.

Even with several star names missing, the Black Stars arrived in South Africa as one of the main favourites for the trophy, but their campaign did not get off to a perfect start.

Everything looked to be going according to plan as Kwesi Appiah’s men created a two-goal lead against very good Congo DR side, but they allowed their opponents to get back into the game and had to settle for one point in the end.

Ghana now need to defeat Mali if they are to boost their chances of reaching the quarter-finals, with home win priced at 2.20 (6/5) at Stan James.

After missing several very good opportunities in the opening game, captain Asamoah Gyan is 3.10 (21/10) with BetVictor to make amends and score against Mali.

The only change to the starting line-up will see Isaac Vorsah come in for Jerry Akaminko, who conceded a penalty against Congo DR.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Dauda – Paintsil, Boye, Vorsah, K. Asamoah – Boateng, Badu – Adomah, Mubarak, Atsu – Asamoah Gyan.

Mali continued with excellent performances after winning the third place at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, recording some very good results in 2012.

While losing their opening 2014 World Cup qualifier to Benin, les Aigles saw off Algeria in the second qualifier, before recording a 7-1 aggregate win over Botswana in the play-offs for a place at the 2013 AFCON.

The promising string of results gave the players much needed confidence ahead of the start of the tournament finals, which in turn saw Mali produce a very good performance in their opening game against Niger.

Les Aigles may have scored the winning goal late into the game, but they will be happy that they were not punished for the squandered chances.

Having beaten Ghana in the 3rd-place play-off at the 2012 tournament, Mali hold a psychological advantage over their opponents, and they are 3.75 (11/4) with BetFred to beat the Black Stars the second time in a row.

West Ham forward Modibo Maiga has recovered from a thigh injury and is expected to replace Cheikh Diarra in the starting 11.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Samassa – Diawara, Wague, N’Diaye, Tamboura – M. Traore, Sissoko, Keita – Maiga, Diabate, S. Diarra.

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