By Arinze Ude.
MALI 1 – 1 DR CONGO
Mali came from behind to draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo and book their place in the Quarter finals of AFCON.
Anderlecht striker, Dieumerci Mbokani, opened the flood gates with his second goal of the tournament from the penalty spot after just three minutes.
Mahamadou Samassa restored parity for the Malians eleven minutes later after Adama Tamboura’s good play.
Mali held on for the draw to book their second successive progression to the latter stages of the competition. They are hoping to better their third place finish last year.
DR Congo’s Line Up:
01 Kidiaba – 02 Issama, 03 Kasusula, 17 Mongongu, 21 Zakuani – 07 Mulumbu (Booked), 12 Ilunga (Kabangu – 86′), 18 Makiadi (Booked) – 09 Mbokani, 13 Kaluyituka (Kanda – 79′), 15 LuaLua (Mabi – 46′)
Subs: 16 Mandanda, 23 Bakala, 05 Mabiala, 14 Mulemo, 19 Mbemba, 10 Matumona, 22 Kisombe, 04 Kabangu, 06 Manzia, 08 Mabi, 11 Kanda, 20 Luvumbu
Mali’s Line Up:
01 Samassa (Booked) – 02 Diawara, 03 Tamboura (Booked), 04 A Coulibaly, 13 Wague – 06 Sissoko (K Traore – 73′ Booked), 12 Keita (Booked), 18 Sow (Booked), 20 Sa Diakite (S Diarra – 87′) – 10 Maiga, 15 Samassa (Diabate – 78′)
Subs: 16 So Diakite, 22 Yirango, 05 I Coulibaly, 19 S Coulibaly, 21 Ndiaye, 23 O Coulibaly, 08 K Traore, 11 S Diarra, 14 Yatabare, 17 M Traore, 07 C Diarra, 09 Diabate
Ref: Djamel Haimoudi
Att: 8,000
GHANA 3 – 0 NIGER
Ghana breezed into the knockout stages with style on Monday night, scoring thrice against a hapless Niger side.
Captain, Asamoah Gyan, silenced his critics when he opened the scoring after controlling Albert Adomah’s cross.
Gyan went from scorer to provider when he found 21-year Porto midfielder, Christian Atsu, in the box with a cross, the rookie chested down the ball after side footing it into the net.
Ghana put the icing on the cake when Asamoah Gyan’s header from K. Asamoah’s freekick was parried by Niger keeper, defender John Boye poked in the rebound to make it three.
Niger’s Line Up:
16 Daouda – 08 Kourouma, 13 Chicoto (Booked), 18 Dan Kowa (Booked), 19 Koudize Booked (Issoufou – 61′) – 21 Bachar (Amadou – 60′), 23 Soumaila (Booked), 03 Lancina, 10 Talatou – 02 Maazou, 07 Sidibe (Issoufou – 79′)
Subs: 01 Alzouma, 04 Amadou, 05 James, 15 Alassane, 06 Laouali, 12 Sakou, 14 Issoufou, 17 N’Gounou, 09 Kamilou, 11 Issoufou
Ghana’s Line Up:
16 Dauda – 04 Pantsil, 15 Vorsah, 21 Boye, 23 Afful – 07 Atsu, 08 Agyemang (Booked), 10 Adomah (Asante – 63′), 11 Rabiu (D Boateng – 72′) – 20 Asamoah – 03 Gyan (Clottey – 78′)
Subs: 01 Adjei, 02 R Boateng, 05 Awal, 13 Akaminko, 19 Mensah, 06 Annan, 09 D Boateng, 14 Asante, 17 Clottey, 18 Boakye
Ref: Badara Diatta
Att: 10,000
