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The Battle for Bronze at the Africa Cup of Nations

The Battle for Bronze

Posted: 2012-02-11 17:38

The Black Stars of Ghana will today take on the Eagles on Mali in the 3rd place final of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The penultimate game of the tournament will be a rematch of the Group D encounter which the Black stars won 2-0.

Both teams will be hoping to put the disappointment of failing to make the final behind as they prepare to leave the tournament at least with a bronze medal.

"We need to go all out to get something," Ghanaian defender Samuel Inkoom told ghanafa.org

"It is unfortunate that we could not take the trophy; that was out target, but I believe we have to do something for the nation. It might be third place but it's another game and important to win for our country.

"We will pick up ourselves and go into the game. We have psyched ourselves up and will do our best."

Most third place matches are seen as giving the peripheral players in the team a run out and this will be no different, although in Ghana’s case some of them will be forced.

Suspensions mean that both John Boye and Derek Boateng are both unavailable for this game, while Agyemang Badu and John Mensah are both injured.

Jonathan Mensah and Isaac Vorsah are set to be Ghana’s fourth centre-back pairing of the tournament. Manchester City midfielder Mohammed Abu is also in contention to start his first game of the tournament.

Asamoah Gyan will be looking to get his groove back against the only team he has managed to find the back of the net with in this tournament.

"We all know that it can happen to anyone to miss a penalty," captain Mensah said. "We just keep on encouraging him. I told Asamoah to concentrate on Mali."

While most Ghanaians will hardly be jubilant if the Black Stars do win the bronze medal, for Mali it will be an accomplishment of some sorts.

"I'm happy because I'm here today, because we were in the semi-final, and I'm going to try hard to get third place," Mali defender Ousmane Berthe said.

By Kwesi Asomadu

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Mick: 2012-02-11 18:51

Dont care what anybody thinks,Ghana will still win d 2012 AFCON.Anybody who doesnt agree is only being envious.

Podium: 2012-02-11 19:38

Mick, you can start day dreaming now at least it is allowed. Your Ghana that could'nt win the Afcon in 2012 will win it in 2012.Maybe the loss to Almighty conquering Zambia has gotten so deep into your thoughts that you've forgotten that the Afcon is played once in two years. And you say someone is envious if he does'nt agree with you.Please wake from your slumber party. Even in the next Afcon come 2013, Ghana who could'nt win now (2012) should not expect to win at all by 2013.Because by then most of the other power houses of African football would be back, stronger and hungrier, the competion will be sterner and more competitive. So you can try your luck then. Some of the Power houses you would rekoning with are Cameroun, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa.

Admire : 2012-02-11 19:59

Thnk Mali wll get their revenge 2nyt!

Mick: 2012-02-11 20:39

@Podium with all due respect to Ghana,I'm proudly Naija to d bone and wouldnt exchange it for d world.I'm just voicing what many delusional Ghanians will be thinking now.

Dat Igbo boy: 2012-02-11 20:44

@Mick, LWKMD

lucas motalaote : 2012-02-11 21:45

This is not awalk over game.we will after the final whistle.

Kerewa: 2012-02-11 22:56

Ghana think say football na to chop kenke. Even as Naija no dey to carry bronze still nuthing nuthing. I said that the team has problem. Well u guys should sharp sharp get KP back to the team. Now Mali has wounded your team again. Let me see una for KON again. U will win the AFCON u think say na chop beans.

Kerewa: 2012-02-11 23:03

Believe, this headline should be changed cos i didnt see any battle in the match. Simply dark stars were outplayed, outwitted, outfoxed, intimidated and won. They didnt put up any fight at all. Malians were taller, bigger, darker, stronger, faster, Ghana was just throwing sand.

dodorima: 2012-02-11 23:18

Finally, these people commot from this tournament fiam fiam, nothing dem carry even pant! to dey make mouth nor good ooooo!

Sarah.: 2012-02-11 23:52

BREAKIN NEWS!!! GHANA VS ZAMBIA MATCH TO BE REPLAYED....I MEAN ZAMBIA VS MALI FOR THIRD PLACE....OK I MEAN GHANA NO NEED TO PLAY IVORY COAST AT FINALS.....I FINALLY MEAN,THE GOLD CUP BELONG TO GHANA BECAUSE CAF PRESIDENT SON JUST PROPOSED TO MARRY GFA PRESIDENT DAUGHTER...VISIT..WWW.KENKE_BANKU.COM FOR MORE DETAILS.

eye_on_eagles: 2012-02-12 05:28

Ghana yash don open ooooo hahahaahah i see the black ass