Ghana, Mali snatch final two places in quarter-finals

Feb 1, 2012, 20:17 GMT

Libreville, Gabon - Ghana and Mali on Wednesday snatched the two remaining quarter-final places at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mali came from behind in Libreville to beat Botswana 2-1, while the Black Stars, who are one of the tournament favorites, were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Guinea.

Ghana top the group with seven points and will face Tunisia in the round of the last eight, while Mali play co-hosts Gabon.

In Libreville, several thousand Mali fans in the Stade de l'Amitie saw underdogs Botswana, competing for the first time at the showpiece event of African football, take the lead just six minutes after the restart as Mogakolodi Ngele was set up by Moemedi Moatlhaping.

Within a few minutes the West Africans had drawn level through Garra Dembele, who was on hand to score after goalkeeper Modiri Marumo had failed to hold onto a ball.

Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita gave Mali the lead in the 74th minute after playing a one-two with Cheick Diabate.

At the end of their game, the Mali players had to endure some anxious moments from the pitch watching the remaining minutes of the Guinea match on the stadium big-screen.

In Franceville, Guinea went into the game knowing that should Mali beat Botswana in their match, which was played at the same time, they would have to beat the Black Stars.

Somewhat against the run of play, Ghana went ahead in the 28th minute with what must be one of the goals of the tournament, as Emmanuel Agyemang Badu flicked the ball up to his right foot and unleashed a powerful kick from the edge of the area that flew into the top corner.

Ghanian goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey seemed at fault when Abdoul Razzagui Camara equalized in first-half injury time. The winger seemed to attempt to cross the ball, but instead it flew over the goalkeeper before floating into goal.

Guinea's hopes of finding a winner were set back in the 70th minute when defender Mamadou Dioulde Bah received a second booking and was sent off.

Although Guinea continued pushing forward in search of a second goal, they failed to find it, and the final whistle in Franceville brought on wild celebrations in Libreville as the Mali players rushed to their fans and danced in front of the stands.

The quarter-finals see co-hosts Equatorial Guinea against Ivory Coast, while Zambia take on surprise package Sudan.