Mali claimed third place in the 2013
African Cup of Nations when they defeated Ghana 3-1 at Nelson Mandela Bay
Stadium, while Mubarak Wakaso missed a penalty.
Mamadou Samassa handed the Mali the lead going into the break, before Seydou Keita and Sigamarry Diarra took advantage of a lackluster Ghanaian performance, which saw Kwadwo Asamoah pull one back late on.
The fixture not only represented a battle for the bronze medal but it was also a battle of pride between Ghana and Mali, having faced each other at this stage of the 2012 African Cup of Nations.
Mali came out 2-1 victors in that encounter, therefore, urging Ghana to come out with their guns blazing and reclaim the pride taken from them in their semi-final elimination at the hands of Burkina Faso.
Both coaches opted to make several changes to their line-up, with the game getting underway to a slower start than anticipated.
Even though Ghana were still the favourites to finish third, they continued to fail in meeting the expectations of the fans when the Eagles took the lead in the 21st minute.
Adama Tamboura did well to tuck in field and supply a cross from the left wing which accurately met the head of Mamadou Samassa who directed it into the back of the net.
Ghana did try their luck from range, ten minutes later, when Mubarak Wakaso struck an effort from 25-yards out but it was well dealt with by Soumbeila Diakite in goal.
Two minutes before the break, Chievo striker nearly added a second goal to his name when he got in front of Isaac Vorsah and Diakite to unleash the ball at goal, but his effort struck the upright and rebounded out of play.
Ghana looked as if they were ready to return home and they further confirmed it when they found themselves 2-0 down when the Black Stars’ defence was left exposed again.
This time it was by Seydou Keita who burst into the box and struck home a cross supplied to him from Ousame Coulibaly, just four minutes into the second half.
Moments of attack were few and far between for The Black Stars and they were handed an opportunity to pull a goal back on a silver platter when the referee blew for a penalty after the ball connected with Coulibaly’s hand.
Wakaso stood up to take his third penalty in as many games for Ghana but he skied his 58th minute spot-kick by flinging it over the crossbar.
Eight minutes later, Diakite was tested again when Asamoah Gyan curled in a great free-kick, but the shot-stopper did well to get a hand to the effort and curl it around the post.
Despite a worrying moment in defence for Mali they were back on the other end of the field attacking.
During the halfway point of the second 45, Keita had the ball in the back of the net once again, only for it to flagged for offside and keeping the scoreline at 2-0.
Suddenly, there was something to play for in when Kwadwo Asamoah stunned the crowd with his effort from outside the box, lining up an interesting final eight minutes to the encounter.
However, it deservedly went in favour of the Malians, who added a third goal in stoppage time when Sigamarry Diarra volleyed home a looping ball over the Ghanaian defence.
Mamadou Samassa handed the Mali the lead going into the break, before Seydou Keita and Sigamarry Diarra took advantage of a lackluster Ghanaian performance, which saw Kwadwo Asamoah pull one back late on.
The fixture not only represented a battle for the bronze medal but it was also a battle of pride between Ghana and Mali, having faced each other at this stage of the 2012 African Cup of Nations.
Mali came out 2-1 victors in that encounter, therefore, urging Ghana to come out with their guns blazing and reclaim the pride taken from them in their semi-final elimination at the hands of Burkina Faso.
Both coaches opted to make several changes to their line-up, with the game getting underway to a slower start than anticipated.
Even though Ghana were still the favourites to finish third, they continued to fail in meeting the expectations of the fans when the Eagles took the lead in the 21st minute.
Adama Tamboura did well to tuck in field and supply a cross from the left wing which accurately met the head of Mamadou Samassa who directed it into the back of the net.
Ghana did try their luck from range, ten minutes later, when Mubarak Wakaso struck an effort from 25-yards out but it was well dealt with by Soumbeila Diakite in goal.
Two minutes before the break, Chievo striker nearly added a second goal to his name when he got in front of Isaac Vorsah and Diakite to unleash the ball at goal, but his effort struck the upright and rebounded out of play.
Ghana looked as if they were ready to return home and they further confirmed it when they found themselves 2-0 down when the Black Stars’ defence was left exposed again.
This time it was by Seydou Keita who burst into the box and struck home a cross supplied to him from Ousame Coulibaly, just four minutes into the second half.
Moments of attack were few and far between for The Black Stars and they were handed an opportunity to pull a goal back on a silver platter when the referee blew for a penalty after the ball connected with Coulibaly’s hand.
Wakaso stood up to take his third penalty in as many games for Ghana but he skied his 58th minute spot-kick by flinging it over the crossbar.
Eight minutes later, Diakite was tested again when Asamoah Gyan curled in a great free-kick, but the shot-stopper did well to get a hand to the effort and curl it around the post.
Despite a worrying moment in defence for Mali they were back on the other end of the field attacking.
During the halfway point of the second 45, Keita had the ball in the back of the net once again, only for it to flagged for offside and keeping the scoreline at 2-0.
Suddenly, there was something to play for in when Kwadwo Asamoah stunned the crowd with his effort from outside the box, lining up an interesting final eight minutes to the encounter.
However, it deservedly went in favour of the Malians, who added a third goal in stoppage time when Sigamarry Diarra volleyed home a looping ball over the Ghanaian defence.
source: mtnfootball.com
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