Report - African Cup of Nations -

Article published the Sunday 12 February 2012 - Latest update : Sunday 12 February 2012

Ghana ready for final but Mali show more pep

Zambian soccer fans watch the match in the capital Lusaka between their national soccer team against Ghana

Reuters/Mackson Wasamunu

By Paul Myers

Five things we learned about the third place play off:

That Ghana need to get their disciplinary act together. In the opening match skipper John Mensah was given a red card for hauling down Jerome Ramatlhakwane. In the semi-final Derek Boateng was off after two yellows and, in the match to determine third and fourth place, Isaac Vorsah got his marching orders for two yellows.
Michael Essien’s stock has risen in his absence. The

Dossier: Africa Cup of Nations 2012
Chelsea midfielder was injured for the start of the tournament but has since returned to full health. His guile, muscle and aptitude for an angled pass should help a Ghana midfield that at times looked stolid.
Mali skipper Cedric Kanté and midfielder Seydou Keita have earned their right to head off into the international twilight. The two veterans have done sterling work nursing Mali ’s youngsters through a gruelling competition.
If you have to play the match, you might as well go for it. Mali seemed to have more pep about their play. In part that was because they’d achieved more than they’d ever imagined while Ghana were geared up for Sunday’s final.
You lose fans if you play dull football and fail to come home with the trophy. Songs will not be sung throughout Ghana about the glories of the 2012 campaign.