Ghana cruised into the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals Monday by hammering Niger 3-0 while Mali joined them with a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Captain Asamoah Gyan, recalled Christian Atsu and defender John Boye
scored for the Black Stars while Niger were furious that a legitimate
early equaliser from Koffi Dan Kowa was disallowed in Port Elizabeth.
Rocked after conceding a third-minute
goal, 2012 bronze medalists Mali fought back to level before the end of
the first quarter in Durban and had three late chances to collect
maximum points.
Qualification was a pleasant diversion
for the troubled west African nation where Malian, African and French
troops are fighting armed Islamist groups in the north.
“Our country is in one of the most
difficult moments of its history. Malians are regaining control of the
north and our qualification will bring joy to the people. I am very
proud,” said emotional Mali captain Seydou Keita.
Ghana collected seven points, Mali four,
DR Congo three and Niger one from a mini-league that failed to match
the final-round drama generated by Group A the previous day as hosts
South Africa and debutants Cape Verde qualified.
Former winners South Africa face 1972
runners-up Mali at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban Saturday and
four-time champions Ghana tackle Cape Verde in Port Elizabeth earlier
the same day.
Niger, who conceded only one goal in
matches against Mali and DR Congo, fell behind after only six minutes at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as Gyan fired past Daouda Kassaly.
But the Black Stars were lucky three
minutes later when the Senegalese referee disallowed a Niger goal
because he wrongly believed goalkeeper Fatau Dauda had been fouled.
Big-screen replays showed Dauda falling
awkwardly after colliding with a teammate, and Ghana took advantage of
the let-off to double their lead midway through the opening half when
Atsu struck.
Any doubts about the outcome were laid
to rest four minutes into the second half as Boye, sporting a peroxide
cross in his hair, latched on to a rebound and netted.
“We stepped up our game and won against a
good Niger team,” said Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah, a member of the last
Black Stars team to win the Cup of Nations 31 years ago.
Niger coach Gernot Rohr said: “I am
proud of my players despite the loss. They displayed courage and the
future is bright. We were up against a better, faster team today.”
A proud record of making the knockout
stages in every Cup of Nations appearance as a coach ended for veteran
Frenchman Claude Le Roy when the Congolese were eliminated.
Le Roy was coaching at the tournament a
record seventh time having guided Cameroon to two finals, Senegal to
fourth place and the quarterfinals, Ghana to third place and DR Congo to
the last eight during a previous spell in charge.
“We had control of the game, but did not
create enough dangerous situations and Mali equalised too fast. We did
not have enough experience for this tournament,” said Le Roy.
Tresor LuaLua Lomana struck a post
within 20 seconds of the kick-off for the Leopards and they were awarded
a penalty 10 seconds later when Mohamed Lamine Sissoko tripped Yves
Diba.
Goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa dived the
right way, but could not prevent Dieumerci Mbokani scoring off a shot
delivered with perfect height and power to the delight of many Congolese
supporters.
Comical defending allowed Mali to level
after 14 minutes as several attempts to clear the ball were botched and
when it was cut back to Mahamadou Samassa he made no mistake.
But the game steadily faded as a
spectacle and Mali came closest to winning in the second half through
substitutes Kalilou Traore and Cheikh Tidiane Diabate and Keita.
“It was emotionally difficult knowing
what was happening in the Ghana game and realising we needed just a
point. We need to keep up our intensity,” said Mali coach Patrice
Carteron.
-courtesy; Supersport
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