This is the third time the two sides are meeting in the last 12 months. At the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana the four-time African Champions won Mali 2 – 0 in their group stages.
However, the Eagles of Mali defeated Ghana when they happened to meet again in the third place play-off.
- The last time Ghana won the Africa Cup of Nations title was in 1982.
- Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah is a former captain of the Black Stars.
- The Black Stars denied Mali of qualification to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
- Ghana’s Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu was the first to score a goal at the 2013 Afcon.
- Mali is making their eighth appearance at the tournament while Ghana are making their 19th appearance at the Afcon.
- The Eagles are the first team to win a match at the tournament after the first three matches ended in draws.
- Mali’s best performance in the history of the competition was in 1972 when they finished as runners-up.
- Seydou Keita dedicated his goal against Niger to the people of Mali.
Read also:
http://en.africatopsports.com/2013/01/24/afcon-2013-program-of-this-thursday/