The Black Stars of Ghana took a giant step towards the Afcon2013 playoffs with a hard fought 1-0 win over Mali at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Thursday evening. The only goal of the match came via a Wakaso Mubarak penalty in the 38th minute. Mali could have no arguments with the penalty which saw a Ghana player brought down heavily in the area right in front of the referee. Mubarak converted a well taken penalty, burying the ball in the top right corner of the net.
Mali pressed for the equaliser in the last 20 minutes but they lacked possession and barely tested Ghana’s keeper Daniel Agyei.
Ghana had to win to remain a threat and the celebrations by their fans afterwards spoke volumes of the importance of the victory. After blowing a 2-0 lead in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with DRCongo, the Black Stars delivered against Mali after being under huge pressure going into the game. They now play potentially their easiest final group B game against Niger as they chase top spot headed into the knockout stages.
The result was an obvious setback for Mali, but after winning their opener 1-0 win over Niger they are still very much in the competition. However, they’ll have to win their final group game against DRCongo to guarantee their place in the last eight.
In the late game on Thursday, Niger and DRC drew 0-0. Both teams had a number of gilt-edged chances which they failed to convert and it could well cost them their places in the knockout stages. A hollow victory for Niger on the night was that it was their first ever Afcon point. It probably won't be enough in the final shake up.
Pic A Ghana fan’s message to vanquished Mali
