[ 2012-02-12 ]

Mali trounce Ghana for bronze
The Eagles of Mali inflicted a 2-0 victory over
Ghana to win bronze in the AFCON 2012 tournament.

A goal in each half from Diabate, with a seemingly
harsh red card to Isaac Vorsah in the second half
meant Mali will win a medal after picking silver
in 1972 and will secure a sweet revenge against a
Black Stars team they had lost to by a similar
margin in the Group stage of the competition.

Cheick Diabate set the Eagles to a flying start in
the 23rd minute after reacting quickly to a
rebound.

Adam Kwarasey had a parried a shot struck low onto
the path of the Bordeaux striker who made an easy
tap into an empty net from close range.

The goal came against the run of play after a
delightful start by the Stars but who failed to
test Oumar Sissoko in post for the Malians.

The Stars performance showed how delectable they
are in midfield and just how dormant they could be
in the final third.

With star striker Asamoah Gyan on the bench- after
being 'scape-goated' by fans for a penalty miss
against Zambia in the semis- the Stars showed just
how impotent they could be in front of goal.

Not even a shock substitution from Goran
Stevanovic which saw Samuel Inkoom out for a
striker Prince Tagoe could change the attacking
fortunes for the otherwise superb Stars side.

The closest the Stars came in the first half was a
rampaging run from Kwodwo Asamoah on the left of
attack but his incisive cross went too close to
Sissoko who made a brave save before Tagoe could
wreck havoc.

The match was played in high tempo- did not look
like an exhibition third place match- Tempers
flared from time to time and cards flew to Jordan
Ayew, Samba Sow and matching off orders to Isaac
Vorsah.

It was same story for the Black Stars in the
second half, dictating the pace but failing to
test Sissoko. And when Vorsah was given the
marching off orders for an outstretched leg on a
Malian attacker, it was time for the Eagles to
take the game to the Ghanaians. Dembele who had
early on had a tough battles all night with Vorsah
now had the freedom to maneuver and set the Stars
defence in turmoil.

In the 81st minute, a great defence splitting pass
to Tamboura on the left was just what the Eagles
needed to crown a a night of organised play.
Tamboura whipped in an immaculate cross to pick up
Diabite who had been sandwiched between Lee Addy
and Jonathan Mensah. But the Bordeaux strike
managed to connect for a sweet Mailian revenge.

The Stars had a Jodan Ayew half volley thumping
the cross bar and a terrible miss by his senior
brother Dede Ayew to crown yet another
disappointing results for the Black Stars.

Source - MyjoyOnline

... go Back