African Nations Cup: Ghana and Mali Advance As Group-Stage Play Concludes

Two games in Group D were played in Gabon as group-stage play in the African Nations Cup came to a close on Wednesday.


At Libreville:


Garra Dembele (56') and Seydou Keita (75') came up with the goals as Mali defeated Botswana 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinal round.


At Franceville:


Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu's goal at 28 minutes proved to be enough as Ghana won Group D with their 1-1 draw with Guinea.  Abdoul Camara scored in first-half stoppage time (45'+2) for the National Elephants, who, because of Mali's win, were still eliminated from the tournament.


FINAL GROUP D STANDINGS:


1. Ghana (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
2. Mali (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
3. Guinea (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 4)
4. Botswana (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 0)


Ghana and Mali advanced to the quarterfinal round.


Here are the match-ups for the quarterfinal round.


Saturday:


At Bata, Equatorial Guinea:


Zambia vs. Sudan


At Malabo, Equatorial Guinea:


Ivory Coast vs. Equatorial Guinea


Sunday:


At Franceville, Gabon:


Ghana vs. Tunisia


At Libreville, Gabon:


Gabon vs. Mali


The winner will advance to the semifinal round.  Both games in the Final Four will take place next Wednesday.


At Bata, Equatorial Guinea:


Zambia-Sudan winner vs. Ghana Tunisia winner


At Libreville, Gabon:


Gabon-Mali winner vs Ivory Coast-Equatorial Guinea winner


The winners of next Wednesday's contests will meet each other in the final to be played on February 12 at Libreville, Gabon.


The losers will play in the third-place match the day before at Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.