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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

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This article was first published on 25th January 2013

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Chojare Pamela Agboga is a Legal Practitioner, Writer, Editor, Chartered Secretary and Administrator. She is currently working on her first novel 'Weekends are for Loving' as well as a devotional for women.