Analysis
History was made last Sunday as Mali became the first side to win a match at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. An 84th minute goal from national hero Seydou Keita settled things at the disappointment of Niger. What motivates the current Group B leaders is the war back home. The Malians will be confident of beating Ghana for the second time in 13 months.
The pressure on the Black Stars to deliver is intense after their opening match against Congo DR produced an unconvincing outcome. The Ghanaians squandered a 2-0 advantage as the match ended all square.
Captain Asamoah Gyan, with a weak performance, failed to set a good example for his team mates. He came inches away from snatching a last-gasp winner but what fans remember most right now is his horrible first-half one-on-one miss. Once again, Gyan is expected to prove his worth while coach Kwesi Appiah needs to reshuffle his tactical plans in quest of a win.
Probable line-ups
Ghana: Dauda; Paintsil, Vorsah, Boye, Asamoah; Annan, Badu; Adomah, Atsu, Wakaso; Gyan
Mali: Samassa; Diawara, Tamboura, Wague, N’Diaye; C. Diarra, Keita, K. Traore; M. Traore, S. Diarre, Diabate
Ghana vs Mali – Match officials
Referee: Desire Doue Normandiez (Ivory Coast)
Assistants: Songuifolo Yeo (Ivory Coast); Jean-Claude Birumushahu (Burundi)
Fourth official: Mohamed Benouza (Algeria)
Group B (as of January 21, 2013)
| AFRICA CUP: GROUP B 2014 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mali | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 | |
| 2 | Congo DR | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 1 | |
| 3 | Ghana | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | +0 | 1 | |
| 4 | Niger | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 | |
Facts
• Ghana were the first team to concede a penalty at the 2013 AFCON.
• Ghana were the first team to score a goal at the 2013 AFCON through midfielder Agyemang Badu.
• Mali were the first team to secure victory at the 2013 AFCON.
• Ghana are unbeaten since losing to Zambia in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier in June 2012. The Black Stars could stretch this record to seven games if they avoid defeat on Thursday.
• Ghana beat Mali 2-0 the last time both teams met in the group stages. That was at the 2012 AFCON.
• Mali beat Ghana 2-0 in both teams’ last meeting. Cheick Diabate scored a brace as Mali won bronze in Gabon-Equatorial Guinea.
Prediction
Ghana 1-1 Mali
