African Cup Third place play-off.
The Black Stars won this year’s Group B meeting, as they did in last year’s finals, but Mali prevailed to finish third in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Both have a player suspended – Ghana’s Mohamed Rabiu and Mali’s Samba Sow.
Mali coach Patrice Carteron:
“It’s an important game for us because it’s really hard to finish in third place.
“Most of the big nations – Ivory Coast, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia – didn’t [manage] it.
“So we have to appreciate having been in the semi-final, and we have to focus on this game against Ghana.
“Of course the players were disappointed but now they have to be realistic and realize it’s a good thing to play this game and try to become the third place team for the second year running.”
Ghana defender John Pantsil:
“Third place is equally good, that’s the medal zone.
“Playing against Mali and getting that medal I think will be very, very good for the team.
“[It will] also boost the young players and get them on their feet for next month’s World Cup qualifiers.
“We are here to compete and we want to be in the medals, so we have to go all out and play well and get a win to prove we are a good side.”
