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Black Stars B secure semi final berth after Mali victory

The Black Stars B secured a semi final berth in the ongoing 2017 WAFU Tournament with a 1-0 win over Mali at the Cape Coast Stadium on Saturday evening.

Ghana took charge of the game and broke the deadlock in the 74th minute after a spectacular 22-yard strike from Winnful Cobbina found the back of the net, 1-0.

Coach Maxwell Konadu started the game with the same set up he used against Guinea.

Gideon Waja, Isaac Twum and Cobbinah succumbing to the physique of the Malians in the midfield battle.

However their forward liners met their match in Vincent Atinga and Samuel Sarfo who clashed with them with equal ammunition.

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Chances were far and few in the first half of the game though the clearest chance of the entire duration fall to Stephen Sarfo who was denied by the Malian goalkeeper.

Ghana goalkeeper Joseph Addo also punched a long drive into open play but the Malian attacker who was unmarked in the box shot wide.

The Black Stars B started dominating the game in the second half with Emmanuel Lomotey doing all the dirty work in front of the back four which allowed Gideon Waja, Isaac Twum and Winful Cobbinah more freedom to attack.

Ghana snatched the winner in the 76th minute through a fabulous left-footed strike by Winful Cobbinah who had enough space after collecting a pass from Gideon Waja.

Cobbinah was adjudged the NASCO Man of the Match.

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The result means Ghana are at the top of Group A with six points and have confirmed their spot in the semifinals of the competition.

Nigeria are second in Group A on two points following their goalless draw with Guinea earlier in the day.

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