2017 AFCON: GHANA 1- 0 MALI - As It Happened

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Jan 21, 2017. 19:56

Welcome to this Saturday's Africa Stars Watch: We bring you the second Group D match between Ghana and Mali of the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations coming to you live from Stade de Port-Gentil in Gabon.

Line-ups:

Ghana - Razak, Amartey, Boye, Atsu, Afful, Partey, Frank, M. Wakaso, A. Gyan, J. Ayew, A. Ayew

Mali - Sissoko, Hamari.T, Salif, Wague, O. Coulibaly, Sylla, Yatabare S, Ndiaye, Yatabare M, Marega, Sako

Commentary:

90+3' - Full time at port- Gentil. Ghana1-0 Mali.

90+3' - What a save by Razak to deny Doumbia from a wonderful cross down the right flank, Mali trying to throw everything at Ghana.

90' - With three minutes to go, poor decision making by Bissouma let Mali down following a wonderful run into the box, his final pass was intercepted in the penalty area. Ghana sub: J Ayew off for Acquah. Ghana 1-0 Mali

82' - Ghana sub: Gyan off for Badu. Gyan is booked for time wasting as he walked towards the touchline.

79' - Mali sub: Marega off for K. Coulibaly

75' - 15 minutes to go and Ghana will hope to see the score remaining like this as they will have six points and book a spot in the knockout stages. Mali are yet to win in the tournament and are desperately in need of a win. Ghana 1-0 Mali

70' - Hamari Traore tried a powerful shot to shock Razak from the edge of the box, but his effort hits the roof of the net. The game is now an entertaining affair with both sides attacking each other

63' - Substitute Yves Bissouma given space by Ghana in the heart of the park and is spreading the passes very well. Mali knocking for an equaliser. They get a corner but a header is off target and Razak takes it. Mali sub: Moussa Doumbia on for M. Yatabare

57' - Ghana taking off their feet off the pedal allowing Mali to come back and intensify their search for an equaliser. Ghana 1-0 Mali.

50' - Mali trying to find something in the match, Marega with a header, but Brimah collects easily.

46' - Second half gets underway. Mali: Bissouma on for S. Yatabare.



45+1' - The first half is over at Port-Gentil. Ghana 1-0 Mali.

45' - Atsu tries to sell a dummy to two defenders and shoots in the box but his shot is blocked. One minute added on.

42' - Mali giving away possession easily allowing the opponent to spend more time in their half and putting them under pressure. Alain Giresse's men trying to build up slowly from the back.

38' - Wakaso, Atsu and Jordan Ayew having a good game so far as we enter the last seven minutes of the opening half. Second corner for Mali. Acheampong clears and gets a set piece.

32' - Sisoko denies Jordan Ayew as he unleashed a long range shot which took a bounce in the penalty area. Good save by the Malian stopper. Ghana 1-0 Mali

25' - Ghana dishing good football and are now chasing their second goal to kill the game. Mali under pressure.

21'- GOAL - GHANA Gyan scores from a fine header after a sweet cross from Jordan ayew on the right wing. 1-0 to Ghana.

20' - Andrew Ayew with a disappointing miss in the box following good work by Christian Atsu on the right flank beating two defenders. Ghana could be leading right now. Mali gets a corner and Wague's header is inches over the cross bar.

15' - Ghana with another set piece on the right flank, the delivery is good, but Gyan's header not troubling keeper, Sissoko. Mali yet to cause troubles for the Black Stars.

10' - Wague concedes a corner, Andrew Ayew and Boye fail to connect with the perfect delivery from Jordan Ayew into the box. Ghana 0-0 Mali in the first 10 minutes.

05' - Both sides are still trying to settle down in the West African derby. Ghana get a free kick and it is cleared by the Eagles of Mali.

01' - Match gets underway at Port-Gentil.