By Dom Agbakpe,

Ghana were beaten 2-1 by Mali in the ongoing AWCON 2018 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

Ghana started the game brightly, dominating possession but find it difficulty creating threatening openings as the Malians are happy to sit deep and deploy the counter-attacking measures to explore the Ghanaian defence.

Ghana almost broke the deadlock as Portia Boakye 19 minutes long range drive whisked passed the goal post.

The Malians drew first blood on 24 minutes from the spot through Bassira Toure after Coulouba Sogore was fouled by Ghana’s goalkeeper, Patricia Mantey.

Ghana kept pushing for an equalizer but couldn’t as referee Leticia Viana blew her whistle to bring the first half to an end.

After the break, Ghana applied pressure and laying seige on the Malian goal but can’t find a way through.

Substitute Elizabeth Addo restored parity from the spot on 67 minutes for Ghana after she was brought down by a Malian defender in the box.

Bassira Toure increased the Malians lead on 74 minutes from a freekick after Ghana failed to clear their lines.

Ghana committed a lot of players forward in search of an equalizer but the Malians remained resolute and held onto their narrow lead as the referee blew her whistle to bring proceedings to an end.

Ghana and Mali have 3 points from two games Cameroon lie third also with 3 points and Algeria sit bottom with no point.

Cameroon play Algeria in the next Group A game at the same venue at 6:30Pm.

Ghana will meet Cameroon in the last Group fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday.

Teams :

Ghana:

Patricia Mantey (GK),Gladys Amfobea,Linda Eshun,Janet Egyir,Faustina Ampah,Juliet Acheampong,Priscilla Okyere,Portia Boakye,Jane Ayiyem,Sherifatu Sumaila,Grace Asantewaa

Mali:

Adoudou Konate (GK),Coulouba Sogore,Sebe Coulibaly,Fatoumata Doumbia.Fatoumata Diarra,Bassira Toure,Binta Diarra,Salimata Diarra,Lala Dicko,Aissatou Diadhiou,Aissata Traore