Africa Cup of Nations Day 8 as it happened

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GROUP D:

Botswana 1-6 Guinea (FT)

Ghana 2-0 Mali (FT)

By Stephen Fottrell

2105: Guinea will remain hopeful of pipping Mali to a last-eight spot, with a good goal-difference on their side, with the Malians taking on Botswana on Wednesday and Guinea meeting Ghana. That's it, though, from us once again. Join us again on Sunday for co-hosts Equatorial Guinea's meeting with Zambia in Malabo and Libya v Senegal in Bata. Bye for now.

2100: In a tournament of upsets, pre-tournament favourites Ghana looked a lot more convincing tonight, after a laboured performance against Botswana. Their young centre-half pairing ran the gauntlet with some of their challenges, but the Black Stars' serious attacking threat remains, and stepped up when it needed to tonight. Mali were unlucky not to go ahead earlier through Cheick Diabate's bizarre dead-ball, which struck the Ghana woodwork twice, but Ghana were clinical it was required and they stride on confidently.

2055: So, Ghana ease towards the quarter-finals with two wins from two, and two clean sheets, despite Kwarasey looking a bit shaky in goal tonight. He has a very formidable attacking line to thank, however, for making it the Black Stars' night, with Gyan hitting a lovely free-kick to open the scoring, and Dede Ayew making it two, slotting in at the near-post skilfully.

2053: FULL-TIME! Ghana 2-0 Mali

2049: Four minutes of added time, as Mali substitute Samba Sow tries his best to get a shot away, but Ghana's defensive wall prevents him from doing so.

2046: Ghana looking to close the game out now, as Kwadwo Asamoah comes off, replaced by Samuel Inkoom, who will slot into the Black Stars midfield.

2043: Mali's last throw of the dice, as they bring on Samba Sow for Abdou Traore, with just minutes remaining.

2039: Ghana looking comfortable now after turning the screw again on Mali and hitting another expertly-taken goal.

2035: A brilliantly-taken effort from the BBC's African Footballer of the Year Andre 'Dede' Ayew, after a former winner of that award and fellow goalscorer Gyan back-flicked into his path cleverly. Ayew did the rest himself wrong-footing the Mali defence before switching feet skilfully and firing home with his left at the near post. Ghana in the driving seat.

2034: GOAL! Ghana 2-0 Mali (Ayew)

2030: The game's opened up now, with Mali looking to hit back. They'll hope they didn't just miss their best chance though.

2026: Mali respond by taking off Cheick Diabate and sending on Garra Dembele. Maiga then should have equalised from a corner, as Kwarasey once again ends up in no man's land and opens the goal up for Maiga to head home, but the striker nods it just over.

2022: Asamoah Gyan opens his 2012 Nations Cup account in some style as he curls in a free-kick from just outside the area beautifully to Diakite's left, with the pace and curl on the ball leaving the Mali keeper rooted to the spot. Wonderful goal.

2021: GOAL! Ghana 1-0 Mali (Gyan)

2020: Emmanuel Agyemang Badu sails a free-kick one in over everyone's head, but Ghana are soon back on the attack, with Bakaye Traore yellow carded for a foul in a danderous area..

2018: Sulley Muntari makes way for Charles Takyi, a like-for-like replacement there for the Black Stars, as the St Pauli midfielder comes on for the Inter Milan man.

2016: Ghana may well look to fire in a few more long-range efforts at Diakite after that spill, as this match remains tight, with real opportunities at a premium.

2012: Dede Ayew zips in a shot at Diakite, which the Malian goalkeeper spills, but does well to prevent a follow-up from Gyan.

2009: Asamoah looks for Mensah on the far post with a decent ball, but it's just too far for the man who is making his 18th appearance for Ghana at the Nations Cup.

2006: Paintsil picks up an early yellow card for a foul on Abdou Traore, and Alhassan is fortunate not to join him in the book for taking Maiga down.

2003: And Mali get the second period underway.

2000: Ghana have had their own chances, of course, with Kwadwo Asamoah and Dede Ayew coming closest. Guinea fans may well be hoping this one stays as it is, as they will stay very much in touch with qualification, after hammering Botswana 6-1 earlier.

1955: So, a goal-less, but tense tie in Franceville between the two teams with serious Nations Cup pedigree. Both sides did their best to create chances for themselves, with Mali very unluck indeed to see Cheick Diabate's free-kick hit not one, but two posts. Kwarasey was a very relieved man to see that one stay out, and his young centre-half line in front of him are treading a very fine line, with John Boye getting away with a nasty piece of gamesmanship on Berthe and Jonathan Mensah crashing into Diabate for that free-kick, but only receiving a yellow.

1948: HALF-TIME! Ghana 0-0 Mali

1945: Ghana very unlucky themselves not to go in a goal up at the break, as Dede Ayew's header from Paintsil's cross flies just wide.

1941: Barcelona's Seydou Keita also picks up a yellow for Mali, for what looks like dissent. He's not been able to have the kind of influence he'd like to have had on this game so far.

1939: Oh, so unlucky for Mali. Jonathan Mensah sees yellow but is lucky not to see red for a thumping challenge on Cheick Diabate, who steps up for the resulting free-kick himself and sees his chipped shot hit both posts (yes both!) after beating Kwaresey. Abdou Traore is also unfortunate to see his follow-up sail over.

1935: Ayew, Asamoah and Annan are linking well in an attempt to pick out Gyan, who is being well mashalled by the Malian defence. Asamoah then lashes a shot wide from distance.

1930: There's a good pace to this game, but it's a tense one, hence the relative lack of chances. As I said though, we're a pretty expectant bunch at this stage.

1928: A rather unsavoury moment in there too, as a replay shows John Boye putting the studs in on Mali's Ousmane Berthe, as he's on the deck. That may well be looked at after the game. If he was spotted for that, he would have been in trouble.

1925: An uncomfortable moment for young Ghana keeper Kwarasey as he flaps at a corner, but Mali can't punish him. But it's almost as quickly forgotten as Ghana break quickly and Asamoah zips in a tricky shot, which Mali keeper Diakite can only parry, but Muntari can't follow up.

1920: Compliments being returned all round, with Kwadwo Asamoah this time looking for Gyan, before the ball runs out of touch.

1918: I nearly feel a bit aggrieved that we've not had a proper shot on goal yet, as we've been absolutely spoilt so far in this tournament. Plenty of time though. Last night's match, between Gabon and Morocco, remember, only really sparked in the second-half, and then boom! Still recovering from that one, in truth.

1914: Asamoah Gyan chases one into the Malian box but Diakite's well on the case. Gyan then looking to turn provider for the reinstated Kwadwo Asamoah, but it's just behind him.

1912: Apologies again that we can't see your texts today, the gremlins have invaded our text software. Probably best to hold off on them for now, thanks to those of you who have sent any today though.

1910: Maiga breaks well into the box again, shrugging off Alhassan, before, oops, running it out of touch.

1907: Mali looking to press through Maiga and Tamboura as the Ghanaian defence, with the relatively inexperienced pairing of Jonathan Mensah and John Boye, coping well enough early doors themselves.

1903: Paintsil, captain for the night in John Mensah's absence, sends in a searching ball looking for Muntari on the far post, but Mali clear well again.

1901: Early pressure from Ghana, who earn a corner straight away, with Soumaila Diakite in the Eagles' goal punching out well.

1859: And we're off, a minute early by my clock..

1858: Both sides were unconvincing in their first games with tight 1-0 wins each. And now with Guinea level on points going into this one with a raft of goals in their bag, the pressure is definitely on. That sounds like good news for the neutral to me.

1855: The teams are out and the Black Stars are in their traditional white strip as Mali line up in yellow. Good support on display for both teams in Franceville.

1851: So this one of course needs no hype, as it contains two of African football's biggest names and a host of players from Europe's big leagues. This one was always marked out as one of the ties to watch out for when the draw was made. Can it live up to the excitement and drama we've been treated to thus far? The bar has been set quite high.

1845: Mali make just the one change for their showdown with the Black Stars, with Ousmane Berthe coming in for Mahamadou N'diaye, who is relegated to the bench.

1843: So Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic makes three changes to tonight's line-up, with Jonathan Mensah replacing his namesake, John Mensah, who was sent off against Botswana. Also in are Kwadwo Asamoah and Alhassan Masahadu, at the expense of Jordan Ayew and Samuel Inkoom. Asamoah Gyan is also fit, after worrying Black Stars fans by picking up an ankle knock in training. John

1840: So we're back and the line-ups are in...

Ghana line-up: 16- Adam Kwarasey, 04- John Paintsil (capt), 14-Alhassan Masahadu, 21-John Boye, 19- Jonathan Mensah, 20- Kwadwo Asamoah, 06-Anthony Annan, 08- Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, 03- Asamoah Gyan, 10- Andre 'Dede' Ayew, 11- Sulley Muntari.

Mali line-up: 16- Soumaila Diakite, 03- Adama Tamboura, 05- Cedric Kante (capt), 07- A. Traore, 09- Diabate, 10- Modibo Maiga, 12- Seydou Keita, 14- D. Diakite, 15- B. Traore, 20- Samba Diakite, 04- Ousmane Berthe

1818: So that impressive result for Guinea make things very interesting indeed in Group D, with two of the big guns, Ghana and Mali, facing off in Franceville at 1900 GMT. I will be back with you very shortly with the team news and all the build-up to that one.

1815: Many thanks to Durosimi Thomas for guiding us through that one - another cracking tie and the biggest score of the tournament so far. And as for that last question, Duro, I would be very careful before I predict anything in this fascinating Nations Cup, as I'm sure to be proved wrong, such is the nature of the competition and the results we've seen so far.

By Durosimi Thomas

1756: That's all from me Durosimi Thomas. We are sorry about your text messages not coming through right now but still keep sending them. I hope you've enyoyed the game with the biggest score line of the competition. My colleague Stphen Fottrell will be with you shortly, after we take a break, to bring you the next game of the group between Ghana and Mali. Stephen, do you think this will be another goal harvest?

1754: This is not the score line that was expected for this game. Most fans will be surprised that Botswana, who played so well against Ghana, crumbled so easily in front of Guinea.

1752: The final whistle has gone and Guinea are surely delighted with not just getting three points but a bag full of six goals against Botswana.

1748: Guinea have at least consolidated their goals advantage in the eventuality of a tie in the group. There's three minutes of added time to be played. Don't rule out another goal.

1744: Substitute Naby Soumah adds his name in the goals-fest as he beats Marumo with a weak shot that hits the far corner.

1744: GOAL! Botswana 1-6 Guinea

1742: Mamadou Bah takes a long range shot from about 25 yards and thanks to a Botswana deflection, the ball goes straight in.

1742: GOAL! Botswana 1-5 Guinea

1740: Ismael Bangoura is denied by a deflection as his shot looped just inches off the crossbar.

1738: Diallo is not coming back on - he has been substituted with Naby Soumah. hopefully Diallo's injury is not serious to prevent him from playing the final group game against Ghana.

1736: Play is held up for the moment as Sadio Diallo gets some attention after a collision. he is stretchered off.

1732: Guinea wastes another clear chances as Ibrahima Conte rounds off a defender and with only the goalkeeper to beat, fires over the bar.

1730: Phenyo Mongala, who was really sharp in the first-half, is substituted for Mogakolodi Ngele.

1728: With 20 minutes left to play and assessing Botswana by their current performance, it is difficult to see how they can draw level again, especially with 10 men.

1727: Ismael Bangoura turns beutifully inside the books but misses as he shaves the bottom right post with his low shot.

1726: Guinea make another substitution as Alhassane Bangoura is introduced for Ibrahima Traore.

1721: Guinean substitution as Feindouno comes off for Ibrahima Conte. It's a surprise move by coach Michel Dussuyer but in other way a good move considering that he currently has some injury concerns after that first-half foul. If he's rested he can then be fit to play the final group game against Ghana which will be a crucial match.

1717: There is some controversy again as Feindouno claims for a goal after his shot hits the crossbar and goes over the line. But the referee says play on.

1716: Feindouno's freekick is blocked by the Botswana defensive wall.

1712: Even though the Zebras can be hopeful of fighting back in this match, it is clear that up to this stage, Botswana are yet to make a repeat of their performance against Ghana.

1708: Guinea are still pushing forward despit ethe comfortable. That's the attitude because this could be the game in which they can improve on their goals advantage which would favour them if there is a tie in the group.

1706: Marumo dives to his left to deny Abdoul Camara who shoots low and hard from outside the box as Guinea earn a corner.

1703: Botswana take the kick-off as the game resumes for the second-half.

1658: Well, this is the state of thinks at half-time. Hey, you never know what the next 45 minutes could bring up. Botswana have played bigger teams during the qualifiers and even though they are down to 10 men, the Zebras could come back fighting. BBC Sport's Farayi Mungazi says "the Guinea fans are in party mood, singing and dancing on the terraces. Gloomy faces all around for the small Botswana contigent in the stands. Hot and sticky evening in Franceville".

1657: I know you've been sending your text messages to the number above, but due to some technically problems we are unable at the moment to see them. however keep sending them and your comments and contributions will be on.

1648: The half-time whistle goes after five goals, one penalty and a red card - wow! What a match! I wonder what's in store for the second-half.

1647:Ibrahima Traore gives the Syli Nationale a comfortable first-half lead from the ensuing freekick. Traore bends his shot behind the Botswana wall with Marumo unable to respond.

1647:GOAL! Botswana 1-4 Guinea.

1646: Substitute Patrick Motsepe is sent-off after a dangerous challenge on Feindouno, who is stretchered off.

1645:RED CARD! Botswana are down to ten men.

1644: Two minutes of added time being played before the half-time whistle.

1640: The Guineans play a quick freekick deep inside the Botswana defenceand yet again an unmarked Abdoul Camara finishes with a powerful shot from close range to consolidate the Syli Nationale's lead.

1640:GOAL! Botswana 1-3 Guinea

1635: Striker Ismael Bangoura tries to negotiate his way between two defenders and manages to chip but the ball goes straight into the hands of Marumo.

1631: Yattara makes a desperate clearance as he clashes with a Botswana attacker on the edge of the box. The tackles are flying in midfield as both sides battle for their first points in the competition after losing their opening games in the group.

1626: An unmarked Sadio Diallo blasts from close range again with a left footer into the roof of the net as the Botswana defence is left wide open again. But the action is quite fluid here. Earlier, Mongala just failed to connect with his right inside the box.

1625: GOAL! Botswana 1-2 Guinea

1622:Selolwane makes sure of putting the ball past Yattara this time, sending the keeper the wrong way into the top right hand corner. The penalty came after Yattara brought down Ramatlhakwana after he was late to clear a poor back pass from Bobo Balde.

1621: GOAL! Botswana 1-1 Guinea

1620: Dipsy Selolwane misses the kick but the referee says the kick has to be retaken.

1618: PENALTY to Botswana!

1615: Ismael Bangoura shoots off target and misses for Guinea, who are now putting a lot of pressure on the Zebras.

1613: The Guineans take the lead through Sadio Diallo who latches on into the six yard box to finish a cross from the left. The Botswana defence is wide open and the Syli Nationale do have a lot of room to manouevre.

1613:GOAL! Botswana 0-1 Guinea

1612: Fantastic save by Marumo after Mamadou Bah fires from 25 yards.

1607: A good chance for Botswana as Moloi Pontsho is late to catch up with a cross which goes straight to Guinea goalkeeper Yattara. That was just the point I was making a minute ago - the so-called minnows may not have enjoyed the desirable result in the first round of games but credit to them, they are playing well.

1606: It is good to see how some of the teams that are usually considered as minnows take the game on to the giants of African football.

1602: The Syli Nationale of Guinea have started strongly, attacking with a lot of depth. However, the Zebras of Botswana react swiftly as Mongala's shot goes off target.

1600:Kick-off. And the match is underway with Guinea kicking-off from right to left. The Guineans winning a corner almost immediately but the Botswana defence clear easily.

1558: Good news for Botswana fans - Dipsy is back in the squad from suspension. Guinea are pretty much at full strength with star players Pascal Feindouno and Dian Bobo Balde all in the starting line up.

1555: And here are the line ups for you:

Botswana: 16-Modiri Marumo; 2-Ndiyapo Letsholathebe, 4-Mmusa Ohilwe, 5-Mompati Thuma, 22- Tshepo Motlhabankwe; 18-Mogogi Gabonamong, 6-Ofentse Nato, 7-Pontsho Moloi, 8-Phenyo Mongala, 11-Dipsy Selowane; 9-Jerome Ramatlhakwana.

Guinea: 1-Naby Yattara; 17-Thierno Bah, 5-Dianbodo Balde,6-Kamil Zayatte, 18-Ibrahima Diallo; 9-Sadio Diallo, 4-Mamadou Dioulde Bah, 2-Pascal Feindouno, 7-Abdoul Razzagui Camara; 10-Ismael Bangoura, 8-Ibrahim Traore.

Referee: Bouchaib Al Ahrach (Morocco)

1545 GMT: Welcome back. It's day 8 at the Africa Cup of Nations and another exciting round of games to look forward to as Botswana take on Guinea in Group D and later on we see hot favourites Ghana taking on Mali. I am expecting your texts with your comments over the next 90 minutes.