The Eagles of Mali have repeated last year's exploit by beating the Black Stars of Ghana to grab the bronze medal at Orange Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa 2013.
The Eagles who lost to the Black Starsof Ghana in the group stage sailed to a 3-1 win over the Black Stars on Saturday evening to clinch third spot at the tournament that wraps up on Sunday.
The Malians equally pipped Ghana to third place at the 2012 edition in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea after losing to the Ghanaians in the group stage.
Mali's emblematic captain, Seydou Keita gave his side a two-goal cushion at the 47' after Mahamadou Samassa had broken the deadlock on 21'. Ghana had a chance to reduce the score in the second half from the penalty spot but top scorer Mubarak Wakasso pulled his shot wide above the cross bar.
However, the Black Stars did manage to pull one back through Kwadwo Asamoah at 82' but it was too late for Ghana to complete the come back as they went on conceding a third goal.
Mali's Sigamary Diarra sealed the 3-1 score line right at the death setting the hundreds of Malian supporters into euphoria.This year's AFCON had taken virtually the same course for both teams as last year: Ghana defeated Mali in the group stage and then bowed to Mali in the bronze final.
The Black Stars of Ghana have vie for the third place four times and have won only once, which was at the Ghana 2008 AFCON where they beat Côte D'Ivoire 4-2.
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