HOME > AFCON 2012 > NEWS > MALI FINISH THIRD AT NATIONS CUP

Mali finish third at Nations Cup

Mali finish third at Nations Cup

Posted: 2012-02-11 23:54

Mali defeated Ghana 2-0 in the third place match at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in the Estadio de Bata, Equatorial Guinea on Saturday.

Cheick Diabate scored both goals for the Eagles as defender Isaac Vorsah saw red for a second bookable offence to leave the Black Stars with 10 men on the pitch.

The game started with vigour as both teams searched for an early hold on the encounter. Jordan Ayew, who started up-front for Ghana in place of Asamoah Gyan, got the first opportunity on 21 minutes, but his shot from the edge of the box was held by Oumar Sissoko.

The Malians took the lead two minutes later when Diabate scored from close range after Adam Kwarasey had spilled a resulting shot off a corner-kick. It was the Bordeaux striker who reacted quickest ahead of Vorsah and Jonathan Mensah to put the ball past the goalkeeper.

The game then went into slumber as both teams could not secure the upper hand with tension beginning to soar. Jordan Ayew received a yellow card for his challenge on Samba Sow as the game seemed to become a brawl.

Mali missed an opportunity to double its lead when Samba Diakite’s shot was kept out by Kwarasey. Diakite had dispossessed two Ghanaian defenders before seeing his shot saved.

A few moments later, the younger Ayew brother once again tested Sissoko with a snap shot, but his attempt was saved by the goalkeeper.

Vorsah earned his first yellow card for a challenge on Diabate before the end of the first period. The Ghanaians then rang in changes as they searched for an equalizer. Prince Tagoe and Sulley Muntari came on for Samuel Inkoom and Mohammed Abu as the pace in attack quickened.

Muntari saw a goal disallowed for offside on 53 minutes before Vorsah got himself into trouble for a raised leg and was sent off as a result of his second yellow card offense.

The Ghanaians fought back but attempts to run through the Malian defense by Andre Ayew were frustrated as the Eagles began to dominate the game.

Their dominance was rewarded on 80 minutes when full back Adama Tamboura’s inch-perfect cross from the left was tapped in by Diabate for the Eagles’ second goal.

The Malians therefore avenged their first round loss to the Ghanaians as they secured their first Afcon medal since 1972, when they finished second.

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Sarah.: 2012-02-11 23:56

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.

meg7113: 2012-02-12 00:23

Disastrous results. Ghana so called BLACK STARS lacks innovations for games. See how pride can do to teams! These characters were failing to shoot properly at goals. To me they were overly rated. I see another "big team" sinking deeper than a titanic. By the way, I do not expect any light from a dark star. They have surely lived to their name.

Goitsemodimo : 2012-02-12 02:13

Hail e kings!!

Pira: 2012-02-12 04:45

that,s what you get for using a coach from serbia. Does a serbian follow african football unless he has to because his job depends on it?this coach likes young under experienced brown players.a local coach would have done bettter. ghanas world cup success was mainly due to the lucky draw of the group and other opponents. i hope this back to back losses will teach you a lesson

Zakumi.com : 2012-02-12 05:18

Why coach never select Mr penalty Gyan last nite match?

Woaini: 2012-02-12 07:39

that's what you get when you count your chicks before your eggs hatch,pride they say come before a fall,what an irony!!!!!

Admire : 2012-02-12 07:46

I saw 4rm the lineup of the black stars tht they were n 4 a tough game.Mali played well & they deserved 2 win, sweet revenge!

cyaman : 2012-02-12 07:55

gud fotbal 4rm mali nw it.2day iT ZAMBIA

Swona Champ!: 2012-02-12 09:32

Serbian coachs, we had a few at Pirates, there is another onenext door, with a loud volume!

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vide misebezi: 2012-02-12 10:02

Weldone mali!!! For walloping,humilliating,humbling and above al for giving thm a lesson of thr lyftym.we al said it tht ths team ws riding on th wings of luck,when we said ths th respons was (who cares).let chipolopolo finish ths grand finallie in style.go zamb go

Nyathi: 2012-02-12 10:27

Well done Black Stars of Africa!! Those of us who support you by blood and sweat (and not by results) will always be there for you irrespective of the outcome of a particular day. We are well aware that it is not possible even from the throw of a dice or bones to predict any result from a game of football. This is confirmed by the fact that today Kaizer Chiefs beat Pirates by 3 nil but tomorrow the same Kaizer Chiefs are beaten by Baroka FC by 2 nil - that is the game of football. Many people who are "results oriented" (shame) commented from the very start that you should have chosen other teams than Bafana Bafana and Platinum Stars to prepare for this tournament; they went on to comment that Botswana were going to surprise you; they went on to say that you play football that is "not convincing" but to us your true supporters you played like the Black Stars of Africa and we were pleased by your performance. Your referees against Tunisia and Mali (in the 3rd place play-off) allowed your opponents to elbow you, jump at you, kick you, push you illegally against any of the rules of the game without protecting you as they should have but you fought like true soldiers and we were pleased! I am awaiting the release of the latest FIFA rankings next week and I am very optimistic that we are going to be pleased by your position therein. Viva Black Stars Viva!!!!

KidKudu7: 2012-02-12 11:13

These Serbian coaches are just "chokers"...look at what is happenning @ Nazoorena now to the Zebras, pathetic.

KidKudu7: 2012-02-12 11:13

These Serbian coaches are just "chokers"...look at what is happenning @ Nazoorena now to the Zebras, pathetic.

KidKudu7: 2012-02-12 11:14

And there's always overrated average cows, just like Nyawana and others.

lucas motalaote : 2012-02-12 12:11

Ofco**** it was clear that Ghana was going to loose this game`they won all their games through lucky mainly based on experiance from Ayew & Gyn.

vide misebezi: 2012-02-12 12:50

thumbs up and give respect wr its due! Mali outplayed ghana and it ws swit victory,convincingly and wel deserved.fifa rankings ar based on perfornce and not on paper,wil have keen intrest when fifa releases th list sometym later.honestly many teams hav improved and we expecting changes regards th outcom of afcon.mr editor enough on these losers we nid somthng(updates)regarding ths evinings final.go chipolopolo go zamb

Mukanya: 2012-02-12 15:24

Ghana are the most over rated team in African football