Nations Cup: Ghana beat Mali 2-0 By Stephen Fottrell BBC Sport Ghana are on the brink of a place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after a 2-0 win over Mali. Asamoah Gyan opened the scoring for the Black Stars with a beautifully struck free-kick from just outside the area. Andre 'Dede' Ayew then wrong-footed the Mali defence before slotting home at the near post, after a clever back-flick from Gyan. Mali were unlucky not to score earlier through Cheick Diabate's free-kick, which struck the Ghana woodwork twice. The match in Franceville was a cagey affair in the first-half between two experienced Nations Cup sides. Both teams also picked up a number of yellow cards, with the young Ghana defensive centre-half pairing of John Boye and Jonathan Mensah living dangerously. Mensah was in the side in place of his namesake, captain John Mensah, who was suspended after picking up a red card in Ghana's 1-0 win over Botswana. And the 21-year-old Mensah was lucky to only see yellow for a thumping challenge on Diabate, who stepped up for the resulting free-kick himself, only to see his chipped shot hit both posts after beating Kwaresey. Abdou Traore was then unable to convert the follow-up. Ghana increased their intensity in the second half and got the breakthrough, with Asamoah Gyan opening his 2012 Nations Cup account in some style. The Al-Ain striker curled in a free-kick from just outside the area to Diakite's left, with the pace and curl on the ball leaving the Mali keeper rooted to the spot. Mali responded by taking off Cheick Diabate and sending on Garra Dembele, and should have equalised immediately through striker Modibo Maiga. Kwarasey, who looked uncomfortable in the Ghana goal all night, ended up stranded after coming for a corner and opened the goal up for Maiga to head home, but the striker could only nod it just over. That missed opened the door for Ghana to hit back and double their lead, which they duly did through BBC African Footballer of the Year Ayew. Gyan back-flicked deftly into the midfielder's path, before the Marseille man did the rest himself, wrong-footing the Malian defence, before switching feet skilfully and firing home with his left at the near post. The second goal effectively killed off the tie, as Mali had no response and paved Ghana's path through to the last eight, where they join fellow pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast. Ghana head Group D on six points, but it will go down to the last game as both Guinea and Mali could still theoretically qualify. [video=youtube;H41v4eNcZgs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H41v4eNcZgs[/video]
On reflection, and much consideration, I have come to the conclusion that I'd take Gyan back in a heartbeat. He is a quality footballer and would be amazing in this Mon team imo. Come on both parties. Let's get him back in our red & whites.
Class player, I to would have him back but who would be sacrificed to accommodate him? Would it be the big target man MON loves. Who out of our midfield would you drop to make way for him. Whoever made way for him IT would give us more strength on the bench.
Still a no from me lads maybe it's the lemon tea I had this morning or maybe I'm still bitter and twisted at being let down by the money grabbing twat, he could always have said no I'll stay and help MY club out. Good goal mind credit where it's due.
Great goal. Potentially he would fit in, in our system and score a load of goals. However, I do not think he wants to come back, he absolutely ****ed us over at the start of the season & he's largely inconsistent, we've all seen his flashes of quality, but he was dog **** at the start of this season.
Just want to remind everyone on that this is the guy who did a runner from our club AFTER the transfer window had closed, and he did it for, in his own words " for the challenge". Who moves to the UAE for a challenge? So what if he had a beef with Bruce, there is a reason why these well payed guys are called professional.
yes but it's also a guy who gives a large sum of his wages to the safc foundation every wk/month he didnt have to do that but he does!! he has never said a bad word about sunderland either so they must have been something other then the money that changed his mind imo!!
Shiney I hear what you're saying and to a point I agree. However, it is no idle boast that Gyan is top quality and We have missed his ability this season. He fell out with Bruce not the club and at no point did he, Bent like, rubbish SAFC or the fans and don't forget this is still our player as he is on loan only. Niall seems to have kept tabs on him and contact with him too and Mon has spoken highly about him so there is some high profile supporters of him at the club now as well. When I see some of the unknown names linked with us and the prices mentioned I have decided that Gyan is the best option and would fit nicely into our new look team. We can't cut our noses off to spite our face here and now Gyan has only cost us £6m as we have recouped half his original fee back with this loan. If he played another year and scored 15 goals or so in the EPL, we could then sell him for a further £20m + if he still wanted to go. It's a win win for us imo.
The guy gives a large sum of his money to the SAFC Foundation only because Niall told him to wouldn't have done it otherwise. Can see what you mean about cutting off our noses to spite our face but I still have reservations about him coming back, he is a great player but he's also a money grabbing twat, IMO he as much as Bruce is responsible for our **** start to the season leaving after the window had closed, causing dissent in the dressing room and losing that team spirit I know that Bruce was responsible for this as well but Gyan had a Big role to play by the timing and way he moved.
I remeber it been quoted at the time that part of the deal was that he gave money to the SAFC Foundation as he wouldn't be paying any tax out there. Will see if I can find a quote.
Thanks, it just seems outside of Quinn's authority to suggest anything like that. Also given Gyan gives money to his community back in Africa, giving to the Foundation would be in Gyan's frame of mind without Quinn.
Here you go Marra the vital word in the statement is "agreed to" not offered to but Agreed to "However, Sunderland chairman Naill Quinn revealed that Asamoah Gyan has some respect for them. “I am delighted however that he has agreed to make a sizeable donation to SAFC Foundation for each month that he is away on loan,” Quinn said in a statement." http://www.zimbio.com/Asamoah Gyan/articles/YRSQw3Ix8Pl/Gyan Massive Donation Sunderland Foundation
Cest I am surprised that you think Gyan waiting till after the window closed, knowing the massive effect it would Have in weakening the squad, and then publicly stating that he moved "for the challenge " is not a huge insult to the club or the fans. Regardless of the fact he fell out with Bruce he was still our no1 player,our top draw guy, playing in the biggest league in the world. And to sacrifice this because he fell out with a manager tells you more about the guy's make up than any performance he produces on the pitch. I accept he can be a very good player but he also had many below average games. Would I have him back , really not sure, is he man enough to apologise ,again really not sure.
As far as I'm concerned, Bruce is gone and Bruce issues should be dumped along with him. Gyan's a class act - cracking goal and a neat back-flick for Ayew's goal. Congratulations to the lad, and come home soon.
