Pulse Sports writer and historian Thomas Freeman Yeboah presents the past encounters between Ghana and Mali, as they face off on Saturday at the Port Gentil Sports Stadium.
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Ghana and Mali have faced off four times in the Africa Cup of Nations: They have won two apiece. Ghana won the group games ties in both the 2012 and the 2013 Africa Cup of nations (AFCON), while Mali came out victorious against the Black Stars in the third-place play-off in both tournaments.
The first ever encounter between these two West African neighbours happened in 1960 in Accra and Ghana cruised to 5-1 victory through two goals from Baba Yara, the king of wingers and another two from Edward Acquah, with Aggrey Fyn scoring one.
The Black Stars won four and drew one of the first five fixtures against the Eagles. Mali had to wait until 1975 before they managed their first victory over the Black Stars- 3-1 win in an Olympic Games qualifier, but Ghana overturned the scoreline with a 4-0 win in the second leg.
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The last time these sides clashed was a friendly game which ended 1-1 in 2015 in France.
Ghana won their opening group C game of the ongoing 2017 AFCON against Uganda, so a win against Mali on Saturday at 4:00pm would send them through to the quarter finals of the competition.
Matches
Friendly internationals 2015
31.03.2015 Ghana 1–1 Mali
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African Cup of Nations 2013, Final tournament, 3rd place match
09.02.2013 Mali 3–1 Ghana
African Cup of Nations 2013, Final tournament, Group B
24.01.2013 Ghana 1–0 Mali
African Cup of Nations 2012, Final tournament, 3rd place match
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11.02.2012 Ghana 0–2 Mali
African Cup of Nations 2012, Final tournament, Group D
28.01.2012 Ghana 2–0 Mali
World Cup 2010, Qualifying tournament, Africa, Third round, group D
15.11.2009 Ghana 2–2 Mali
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World Cup 2010, Qualifying tournament, Africa, Third round, group D
07.06.2009 Mali 0–2 Ghana
Friendly internationals 2001
25.12.2001 Mali 1–1 Ghana
Friendly internationals 1998
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03.12.1998 Mali 0–2 Ghana
Friendly internationals 1994
23.02.1994 Mali 0–0 Ghana
GAB semi-finals
01/01/1993 Ghana 1- 1 Mali [3-5p]
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BFA Cup RD1
31/07/1988 Ghana 1-0 Mali
All-Africa Games 1978, Group 2
14.07.1978 Ghana 1–1 Mali
African Cup of Nations 1976, Qualifying tournament, First round
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28.09.1975 Ghana 4–0 Mali
African Cup of Nations 1976, Qualifying tournament, First round
14.09.1975 Mali 3-1 Ghana
West African Championship final
03.03.1963 Ghana 4-0 Mali
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Friendly internationals
17.03.1962 Ghana 0-0 Mali
Friendly internationals
02.1962 Mali 0-1 Ghana
Friendly internationals
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05.03.1961 Ghana 3-0 Mali
West African Championship Semi-finals
02.10.1960 Ghana 5-1 Mali
