Nations Cup 3rd-place play-off as it unfolded

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THIRD-PLACE:

Ghana 0-2 Mali, Malabo (FT)

By Piers Edwards

2100: That's it from me for tonight, but of course the BBC will be back tomorrow night for the big one - Ivory Coast versus Zambia in the final of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Kick-off was put back to 1930 GMT earlier in the week, don't forget, but join us tomorrow as we will learn whether Ivorian experience will triumph over Zambia's emotion. Will the Elephants finally put recent Nations Cup failures to good effect by winning the title, or can Chipolopolo honour their fallen heroes of 1993 in dream fashion by winning their first African crown in a country previously synonymous with disaster for them?

2053: The celebrations show how much Mali wanted this victory. Eagles players leap on top of one another in celebration while coach Giresse sports a wide grin. Mali have enjoyed their best Nations Cup since finishing runners-up forty years ago - which few Eagles fans expected in the run-up to these finals.

"Here in Mali, we often say the team we all believe in never wins and it's our average teams which manage the best results," said Cheickna Demba, vice-president of the Eagles Supporters Club, before these finals - and how right he was, as a team that few Malians rated have delivered a fine return.

Giresse now joins in with the celebrations, being raised on his players' shoulders after dancing a jig with them.

"Up Mali - I'm a Nigerian but my wife is from Mali," says a happy Olayemi Salami, who has texted in from Amsterdam.

MALI FINISH THIRD AT 2012 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS

2052: FULL-TIME! Ghana 0-2 Mali

2050: Mali applying the pressure now. Two goals up, they toy with the Ghana defence before Diabate leaps to try to find his hat-trick but the cross is far too high. The Eagles have been very professional since Vorsah's red card for the Black Stars.

2046: The Ghanaians remonstrate with the referee after the Black Stars think they have won a rare corner, only for the referee to blow up for a 'foul' by Muntari. Not the greatest decision, but a good chance to see some Ghanaian passion in there.

Ghana haven't finished fourth since the 1996 finals in South Africa, which is when a southern African side - namely, Bafana Bafana themselves - last won the tournament. Could that be an omen for Zambia's Chipolopolo?

2045: Jordan Ayew thumps an effort against the post from a tight angle - and that's the best we've seen from him all night. Sissoko was beaten but the ball clipped the outisde of the post before flying out.

2042: Dede Ayew misses a sitter at the back post, latching onto Prince Tagoe's deep cross in oceans of space only to side-foot his effort towards the corner flag. He puffs out his cheeks in frustration but that was poor. Meanwhile, Samba Sow comes off for Mali with Souleymane Keita coming on. Garra Dembele is also off for Mali, and Yatabare is on. Ghana left-back Alhassan has a go at Dembele as he trudges off - but Dembele doesn't care - pumping his fists in delight as he goes towards his dug-out.

2039: Mali are on course to finish this Nations Cup with a maiden third-place finish. Ghana, meanwhile, are going out with a whimper. Should it stay like this, they will have failed to score in their last two games. For all their bright approach play, they have failed to really test Sissoko - although they will look back on Muntari's disallowed goal as the turning point.

2035: GOAL! Ghana 0-2 Mali (Diabate)

Cheikh Tidiane Diabate scores his second of the night, and third of the tournament, after Adama Tamboura is cleverly played in down the left wing from central midfield. Not for the first time at these finals, Tamboura delivers a fine cross which Diabate converts to draw level with the likes of Drogba, Chris Katongo and Emmanuel Mayuka as the joint top-scorer at the tournament. For the record, Manucho, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Houssine Kharja are also on three.

2035: "Mali will win the third-place match, and tomorrow Didier Drogba will score the winer for Ivory Coast. Ali Mati Shantake, Kano, Nigeria." Not the hardest predictions to make there Ali with Mali a goal up and a man up with just over 10 minutes left. We shall watch for Drogba however.

2033: Seydou Keita eyes glory and his second goal of the tournament as he sends a curling free-kick over the stanchion from 30 yards out. Decent position but never got over the strike.

2032: The BBC's Nick Cavell reports that Kojo Asamoah "is being escorted to an ambulance - shoulder injury looks serious." That is not what Udinese want to hear on the eve of getting their midfielder back.

2030: Dede Ayew does well to win the ball near the corner flag and eventually the ball comes to Jonathan Mensah on the edge of the D and his side-footed effort flies just a few inches past Sissoko's left-hand upright. Great play from Ayew to battle for possession and Mensah's effort belied his regular position as a centre-back. Ghana applying some pressure.

2026: Mali goalscorer Cheick Diabate causes more problems, latching on to Keita's deep free-kick but he can't guide a fine header under the bar as he goes back across goal with Kwarasey out of the game.

2025: Ghana make their final subtitution with around a quarter of the game still left. Kojo Asamoah cannot continue as the Udinese midfielder trudges off, to be replaced by Alhassan Masahudu, who has played a lot at left-back during these finals. A defensive move to cover for Vorsah's red card.

2023: Vorsah's disciplinary problems continue after he kicks out at Garra Dembele. The Egyptian referee first shows a yellow card before showing a red. Vorsah, don't forget, missed the first two games of this Nations Cup following his red card in the final qualifier against Sudan. Now, he looks likely to miss the opening qualifiers for the Nations Cup and World Cup in June.

2021: RED CARD FOR ISAAC VORSAH

2020: Nick Cavell inside the Malabo arena. "Kojo Asamoah is clutching his shoulder and looks in a lot of pain." One to follow.

Meanwhile, better news for Samuel (see 1952) with the light back on. "Yeah, we now have light. I pray for Mali and Zambia to win. Samuel Ogala, Abuja."

2017: Abraham Keita has texted in from Dallas, Texas. "I am a fan of Ivory Coast but caution the Ivorians because the Zambians are good collectively and do not waste opportunity." They certainly are and all will be revealed from 1930 GMT, when the long-awaited 2012 Nations Cup final kicks off.

2014: Samba Diakite is down on the ground, and QPR fans won't want to see that as the loan signing is felled by a tough (but fair) challenge from Lee Addy. He's back up though, as is Kojo Asamoah who was also down on the ground before the ball went out.

2012: Ghana have looked much brighter in this second period and are beginning to make some real progress in the final third. Play is held up as Bakaye Traore, the match-winner against Guinea in the group stages (which seem so long ago now!), receives treatment, while Samba Sow is booked.

2010: Substitute Sulley Muntari thinks he has scored the equaliser only for his close-range strike to be ruled out for offside following Isaac Vorsah's knock-down. A very tight decision which could easily have gone the other way.

2009: Prince Tagoe beats the ground in frustration as he has a sniff of goal, only for Maiga to dive in with a terrific block.

2008: Another free-kick in from Keita and this one does beat the first man and just needs a touch to go on. Unfortunately for the Eagles, it's a Ghanaian who gets his head on it first to clear but that was Barcelona quality from the Barcelona man.

2004: Free-kick to Mali is taken by Keita but it doesn't beat the first man. Black Stars fans will be expecting more from their team, with the four-time African champions having yet to really threaten Sissoko. As I write, Pantsil delivers a good cross which Jordan Ayew can't guide on target, before the Marseille man is flagged offside, but that was much better from the Ghanaians.

"Ghanian players have lost confidence in themselves and you can see their frustration in this game. Tomorrow, Zambia becomes the champion of africa. Go, go Chipolopolo. Soko, Copperbelt, Zambia."

2003: Mali get the second half under way, and Muntari has replaced Mohammed Abu. Meanwhile, Joel has texted in from Canada to say that the "Goal of the Tournment will be scored tomorrow by Gervinho. Joel, Saskatoon, Canada."

2000: Ghana are back out and Sulley Muntari is set to come on. Unclear as yet who he will be replacing. Mali are also emerging from the players' tunnel as well.

1952: More texts coming in Goal of the Tournament, which has grabbed your fancy far more than Player of the Tournament.

"The header of Drogba from Yaya Toure's free-kick should be the best goal. Let's see if the Chipolopolo boys will grant them the space to do that kind of thing tomorrow," says R. I know what you mean, R, great finish from Drogba - which flew in, I recall, at 70 kilometres per hour. A goal as much about the delivery as the finish.

"Razzagui Camara's goal against Ghana is the goal of the tournament in spite of Guinea's early exit," says another no-name texter. (PLEASE SEND IN YOUR NAME)

Meanwhile, Samuel has texted in from Nigeria to express gratitude following some familiar problems. "Thanks guys for the update. I live in Abuja, on the airport road. As usual there is a power cut and we cannot afford to fuel our generator. Samuel, Abuja." Thanks Samuel, and I hope your power comes back soon.

1949: Half-time snapshot from the BBC's Nick Cavell, inside the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo. "A more lively match than expected for a third-place play-off. Both sides have had chances and have pushed forward. Ghana's coach Stevanovic really does seem to be thinking to the future here and experimenting a little starting with the Ayew brothers pushed up front. Bringing on Tagoe with 10 minutes to go seemed to be a reaction to the goal as the coach realised there wasn't enough threat up front. While Giresse isn't experimenting, he also seems to be looking forward and using this as a good way to start preparing for the 2013 Nations Cup and 2014 World Cup qualifiers by naming a strong starting eleven. The other good news is that there is a healthy and noisy crowd in!"

1947: The half-time whistle blows, and Mali are on course to record a rare victory over Ghana. They lead 1-0 thanks to Cheick Tidiane Diabate's goal midway through the half, with Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic having started the game without a recognised forward. A strange decision which he amended 10 minutes before time.

1945: Two minutes of additional time at the end of the half. In the first minute of it, Mali goalscorer Diabate is through on goal after wholly springing the Ghana offside trap but he's incorrectly flagged offside when clean through on goal. Great run, great timing, poor decision.

1942: Rahman from Accra texts in his goal of the finals. "Number 1 - Agyemang-Badu - and then the goal for Burkina Faso's Alain Traore against Angola." Fine strike that from a free-kick, and he had a good final despite the Stallions' disappointing display. No points from any of their games, lest we forget.

1939: Francis, in the United Kingdom, has also texted in for his Goal of the Tournament. "I'll go for Yaya Toure's strike as my goal of the tournament." I've gone for Agyemang-Badu's strike for Ghana against Tunisia, but am interested in your thoughts on this - and on your Player of the Tournament.

1936: Jordan Ayew has another strike at goal, trying to curl one past Sissoko from outside the box, and he can count himself unlucky not to have won a free-kick after a late tackle comes flying in.

1934: Better from Ghana as Dede Ayew tries to find Kojo Asamoah but his cross is just over the midfielder's head. Meanwhile, Stevanovic has seemingly had enough of his experiment as he brings on a striker 10 minutes before half-time. Sammy Inkoom's Nations Cup is over and Prince Tagoe is on.

1932: Samba Diakite unlocks the Ghanaian defence again, getting behind the back-line following some slack play in the Black Stars' back-line, but he fires at Kwarasey from a tight angle when he might have been better advised to find a team-mate running into the box. Excellent break from the Malians.

1930: "Best goal of the tournament - Yaya Toure's free-kick! Ivory Coast to win the tournament, they will do the talking on the pitch!" No name to this text from the United Kingdom, so please include your name if you can. Thank you.

1928: Since the goal, we have yet to see much from Ghana in the way of reaction. Instead, Mali have had more possession in their opponents' final third. The Ayew brothers are very much leading the line, which is a new system from the Black Stars. Perhaps coach Goran Stevanovic is using this game as a trial for this year's 2013 Nations Cup and 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Don't forget that the Ghanaians will come up against Nations Cup finalists Zambia in World Cup qualifying, as well as Sudan and Lesotho.

1926: Caesar from Ghana has agreed with my choice of Goal of the Tournament, opting for Agyemang-Badu's sweet volley against Tunisia. Caesar, if we can, what are your numbers 2 and 3 as well plse?

1925: Play is held up as Mali's Samba Sow receives treatment. Jordan Ayew is booked, for little more than petulance, but he is looking particularly aggrieved, showing what this game means to him at the very least.

1923: GOAL! Ghana 0-1 Mali (Diabate)

A corner is played back to Diakite who fires low at goal and after Kwarasey spills a low strike from Diakite, with the goalkeeper seeming to see it late after the ball came through a crowded penalty area, Cheick Tidiane Diabate is left with the simplest of task from 5 yards as he sweeps his leg along the ground to slide into a gaping net.

1921: At the other end, Jordan Ayew takes a swing at goal - but his 25-yard strike is straight at Sissoko between the Mali sticks.

1920: A mix-up in the Ghana defence almost allows Dembele a chance to poke past Kwarasey, but the goalkeeper comes out well to gather.

1919: Osei, a Black Star fan, is following from Japan and is certainly interested by this game. "As a Ghanaian, I think this game means a lot. A bronze medal will help keep the team's confidence in place after the Zambia game. Ghanaians will lose interest in the Black Stars if they lose again." Do you agree? If so, join in the debate.

1917: It's calmed down on the pitch, and both sides have settled into their stride nice and early. Jordan Ayew seems to be the furthest forward for Ghana, with his brother Dede also playing very centrally, but what must Prince Tagoe be thinking? A striker sitting on the bench who must be itching for a chance up front.

1914: Little goalmouth action on the pitch, so I'll continue with some texts. Andrew Daka has texted in from eastern Zambia and is - unsurprisingly - backing the Chipolopolo to win their first Nations Cup tomorrow. "Chipolopolo will stun the Elephants by a goal to nil. GO ZAMBIA GO!"

I still want to know your thoughts on best goal and best player, so will list my top three goals so far.

1. Agyemang-Badu (Ghana) v Guinea - stunning volley from just outside the box.

2. Kily (Equatorial Guinea) v Senegal - another sweet strike that flew into the back of the net from distance, giving the co-hosts an unforgettable win.

3. Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast) v Equatorial Guinea - brilliant free-kick that gave the goalkeeper no chance from 30 yards.

I want to know your 1-2-3, so please text in to [phone].

Meanwhile, Kojo Asamoah lets fly from Ghana but his 30-yard strike is well off target before Mohammed Abu also has a crack from similar distance - which also fails to trouble reserve goalkeeper Oumar Sissoko, playing in place of regular number one Soumail Diakite.

1907: Watson Khupe has texted in from Zimbabwe. "It is taboo to play football when your mother has died and is not yet buried. Ghana must know that, hence they lost the semi-final. Ivory Coast wil beat Zambia in the final." I take it, Watson, that you are talking about Anthony Annan's decision to continue at the competition despite the death of his mother last week. While you can't blame him for contesting the semi-final, it is perhaps a little strange to see Annan staying on for this third-place clash, like you say - but who are we to judge?

1905: Mali have their first corner. The delivery goes deep to the back post, where Ghana block a close-range Malian effort before a floated Eagles cross clips the top of the Ghanaian crossbar. "Seems to be quite an even split between Ghana and Mali fans in the stadium - maybe 6,000 or so now here," says Nick Cavell inside the stadium. That's not a bad turn-out and must seem quite healthy in a stadium that can only hold a fraction over 15,000.

1903: Garra Dembele has an early chance for Mali but can't test Kwarasey in the Ghana goal. Bright start to this game though, and long may it last.

1902: Yeboah, a devoted follower throughout these finals, has texted in to say. "How can an eagle soar over a star? Black Stars going for the kill!"

Meanwhile, Ghana win two early corners - the second of which Dede Ayew swings straight into the side netting.

1900: After a minute's silence for those Egyptian fans who died in Port Said, we are under way in the Equatoguinean capital Malabo - with an Egyptian, Grisha Gihed, refereeing tonight - as Ghana kick off this penultimate game of the 2012 Nations Cup.

1855: So, some of tonight's questions. Can Mali finish third for the first time ever? Runners-up in 1972, they have lost their three third-place play-offs since. Meanwhile, can the Black Stars - who finished third on home soil in 2008, score a goal without a recognised striker on the pitch?

1852: The national anthems are playing out, with Ghana wearing white tonight, while Mali are clad in an all-yellow strip. Mali national anthem currently playing...

1845: Now, third-place play-off matches often have a fairly lacklustre feel to them - hopefully, I'll be proven wrong tonight - but just in case, it would be good to get some healthy debate going online. So I am presenting two subjects which I would like you all to comment on. Very simply...

1) What has been the goal of the competition so far?

2) Who has been the player of the Nations Cup so far?

Text in to [phone].

1845: SK Duworko has got in touch from Liberia. "Zambia will beat Ivory Coast to continue the Nations Cup surprises, and so honouring the Zambian footballers who died in the 1993 air crash in Gabon."

1842: From inside the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo, where Equatorial Guinea is staging its final Nations Cup game, the BBC's Nick Cavell reports the presence of "a few hundred fans from Mali and Ghana for this game - they are making a lot of noise. The stadium looks empty but all the fans making the noise with drums etc. are right in from of me - and it is very loud here!!" He also points out that Asamoah Gyan is wearing an earring on the bench, which is "not the sign of someone who is going to play today." I think we can all agree with that!

1839: Mali's XI for tonight's game. 01-Oumar Sissoko, 02-Youssou Maiga, 03-Adama Tamboura, 23-Ousmane Coulibaly, 05-Cedric Kante, 12-Seydou Keita, 15-Bakaye Traore, 18-Samba Sow, 20-Samba Diakite, 09-Cheick Diabate, 11-Garra Dembele. Coach Alain Giresse only has 19 players to choose from tonight, since Modibo Maiga and Mahamadou N'diaye are already out, while Ousmane Berthe and Drissa Diakite are also injured for this game.

1834: So, the team news for tonight. Ghana have named a strong line-up: 16-Kwarasey, 04-Pantsil, 19-Jonathan Mensah, 15-Vorsah, 17-Addy, 06-Annan, 07-Inkoom, 10-Andre Ayew, 13-Jordan Ayew, 20-Asamoah, 23-Mohammed Abu.

No Agyemang-Badu, who is still injured, while Derek Boateng and John Boye are both suspended. Asamoah Gyan is conspicuous by his absence following his penalty miss against Zambia in the semis.

1830 GMT: Good evening. So, there's a little over 24 hours left of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations - and tonight, we have the game no teams wants to play in. The dreaded third-place play-off. The misfortune of contesting tonight's game falls to Ghana, beaten by Zambia in the semi-finals, and Mali, who were ousted by Ivory Coast in the last four.

If you're a fan of Ghana or Mali, do you care about tonight's game? Or do you just want your team to be coming home as soon as possible? Please text in all your thoughts, on both today's game and tomorrow's grand final, to [phone].