By Arinze Ude
GHANA 1-0 MALI
Ghana’s hope of qualifying for the Quarter-finals of African Cup of Nation was boosted by a 1-nil win over a Mali yesterday.
After conceeding a penalty in their opening game against DR Congo, Ghana went in front courtesy of a well taken penalty of their own by Mubarak Wakaso after Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu was tripped up in the box.
Ghanaian keeper, Fatau Dauda was lucky to still be on the pitch after 6 minutes. The goal keeper handled the ball outside the area but the referee failed to send him off; instead he awarded a free kick to the Malians, which Seydou Keita flashed wide.
Ghana and Mali need just a win or a draw against Niger Republic and DR Congo respectively in their last game on Monday to qualify for the Quarter-finals.
Ghana’s Line Up:
16 Dauda (Booked) – 04 Pantsil (Booked), 15 Vorsah, 21 Boye, 23 Afful – 08 Agyemang, 10 Adomah (Asante – 84′), 11 Rabiu (Booked), 20 Asamoah (D Boateng – 77′) – 22 Wakaso Booked (Atsu – 71′), 03 Gyan
Subs: 01 Adjei, 12 Larsen, 02 R Boateng, 05 Awal, 13 Akaminko, 19 Mensah, 06 Annan, 07 Atsu, 09 D Boateng, 14 Asante, 17 Clottey, 18 Boakye
Mali’s Line Up:
01 Samassa – 02 Diawara, 03 Tamboura, 04 A Coulibaly (Booked), 21 Ndiaye (Booked), 06 Sissoko (Sow – 68′), 11 S Diarra (Maiga – 46′), 12 Keita, 17 M Traore Booked (Samassa – 76′) – 20 Sa Diakite, 09 Diabate
Subs: 16 So Diakite, 22 Yirango, 05 I Coulibaly, 13 Wague, 19 S Coulibaly, 08 K Traore, 14 Yatabare, 18 Sow, 07 C Diarra, 10 Maiga, 15 Samassa
Ref: Noumandiez Doue
Att: 8,000
NIGER 0-0 DR CONGO
The West African nation, Niger Republic earned their first point of the 2013 AFCON, holding the DR Congo to a goalless draw.
The game was a very dull one with both sides creating very few chances.
The best chances of the game fell to DR Congo and Anderlecht’s striker, Dieumerci Mbokani who squandered two great opportunities but in fairness, Niger keeper Daouda Kassaly must be commended for making outstanding saves to keep his side in the game.
Niger’s Modibo Sidibe also went close to scoring when he hit the wood work.
Niger and DR Congo must win their final group matches against Ghana and Mali to join the Quarter-final bandwagon.
Niger’s Line Up:
16 Daouda – 08 Kourouma, 13 Chicoto, 18 Dan Kowa, 19 Koudize (N’Gounou – 79′ Booked) – 21 Bachar, 23 Soumaila, 03 Lancina, 14 Issoufou (Talatou – 46′) – 02 Maazou (Booked), 07 Sidibe (Issoufou – 90′)
Subs: 01 Alzouma
22 Saminou, 04 Amadou, 05 James, 15 Alassane, 06 Laouali, 10 Talatou, 12 Sakou, 17 N’Gounou, 20 Amadou, 09 Kamilou, 11 Issoufou
DR Congo’s Line Up:
01 Kidiaba – 02 Issama, 03 Kasusula, 05 Mabiala, 17 Mongongu – 07 Mulumbu, 18 Makiadi, 04 Kabangu (Kaluyituka – 56′), 08 Mabi (Matumona – 72′ – 09 Mbokani (Booked), 15 LuaLua (Kanda – 46′)
Subs: 16 Mandanda, 23 Bakala, 19 Mbemba, 21 Zakuani, 10 Matumona, 12 Ilunga, 22 Kisombe, 06 Manzia, 11 Kanda, 13 Kaluyituka, 20 Luvumbu
Ref: El-Moubarki
Att: 12,000
