Diabate at The Double as Mali Claim Bronze Medal

Diabate at The Double as Mali Claim Bronze Medal

Mali secured a third place finish at the Dennis Rodman Jersey African Cup of Nations at the expense of a di sapointing Ghana. Cheick Tidiane Diabate grabbed two goals either side of a red card to Ghanaian defender Isaac Vorsah, as the Eagles recorded their best finishing position at an ACON for 40 years.The victory at the Estadio de Bata saw Mali gain revenge on Ghana for their 2-0 defeat during the group stage of the tournament.Tonights win goes some way in soothing the painendured by the West Africansfollowing their semi-final defeat at the hands of the Ivory Coast.As for Ghana, a tournament that had promised so much the Black Eagles started as joint favorites for the cup ends on a real low, as defeat this evening followed Wednesdays shock 1-0lo s to Zambia.Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic, under pre Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Jersey sure following his sides disapointing campaign, decided to start the game without a recognised striker, as Marseilles Jordan and Andre Ayew were deployed up front in what was an experimental system.His decision failed to bear fruit, as his side failed to create any meaningful openings during the first half. By the time the Serb changed his strategy, Ghana were 1-0 down.The goal arrived in the 23rd minute, with Diabate the quickest to react to goalkeeper Adambathia Kwaraseys parry from Samba Diakites firm shot.The match became scrappy following the opener, with both sides guilty of niggly fouls. Ghanas Sulley Muntari thought he had drawn his side level, but his volleyed finish was ruled out for offside in what was a tight decision.The Black Eagles hopes of securing a bronze medal finish was dealt a further blow when centre back Vorsah was sent off for a second yellow card, becoming the third Ghana player to see red Chauncey Billups Jersey during the tournament.Despite John Mensahs curling effort going justwide of the post, the task in front of Ghanawas too much, and Mali, sensing victory, began too dominate proceedings.Their superiority was rewarded with a fine breakaway goal with 10 minutesremaining on the clock. Left back Adama Tambouras fine run down the left flank was followed up with a perfect low ball acro s the face of goal for Diabate to stick out a leg and slide home into an empty net.The Bordeaux strikers brace sees him join Didier Drogba, Chris Katongo and Emmanuel Mayuka onthree goals Allen Iverson Jersey for the tournament, although any of those three can go ahead of Diabate if they find the net in tomorrows final.Although both Ayew brothers had opportunites to reduce the deficit, the final whistle soon brought the match to a conclusion, much to the delight of the Malians.Mali will return home fully satisfied with their preformance at this years ACON, as their best finishing performance since the 1972 tournament signals real progre s is being made. Ghana on the other hand, will go home feeling very much the opposite, as a tournament that promised so much Mateen Cleaves Jersey for them, has ultimately, delivered very little.

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