All to play for in Group D as quarter final spots remain undecided - 2010

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All to play for in Group D as quarter final spots remain undecided

01-31-2012

All to play for in Group D as quarter final spots remain undecided

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Group D completes the end of the first phase in the Orange Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday 1^st February when Ghana plays Guinea in Franceville while Botswana meets Mali in Libreville. All four teams can still qualify with pointless Botswana still mathematically within a chance of making quarter finals. The Zebras would need a helping hand for that to happen while they win their match against Mali by a big margin. There are a number of possibilities on the cards with some teams closer to qualification than others but no-one past the post yet. There certainly is a lot still at stake before the top two spots are decided and that is why Wednesday matches will be eagerly awaited. Ghana on six points from two matches need to avoid defeat to ensure they stay in the hunt for the title while a win for both Mali and Guinea will bring them to six points and that means that the two of them plus Ghana will have to be separated by competition rules and regulations, ie going to goal difference calculation. Should this happen the co-favourites Ghana could be dragged into a situation they wouldn't like. Mali will be hoping that Ghana will maintain their 100% record and deny Guinea victory while the Eagles take care of business against current bottom side Botswana. After the drama of the last group matches in Group B where Sudan sneaked past Angola into second place, Group D will be equally anticipated.

Meanwhile the news from Ghana camp on captain John Mensah indicate that the centre back who missed the last match against Mali through suspension is available for selection after shaking off an injury picked up from the same game.

For the first time in this competition Ghana will have all four central defenders available and coach Stevanovic will be spoilt for choice but having seen the tricky and fast Guinea strike force tear apart the Zebras he will select his pair with that in mind .Mensah himself said "I am feeling better with each passing day the scan showed that it is a minor injury and the treatment l am receiving is working and I am confident of making it on Wednesday."
Mensah's teammate midfielder Andrea Ayew added that The Black Stars have been growing into a force with each passing game. Ayew, voted Man-of-the Match went on to say "I believe that we haven't played our top football yet. There's so much more this team can produce and show but bit by bit we are growing strong in this competition. We are getting better and better and I think that against Guinea we will prove that we are getting better."

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