Ghana entertains Mali in the their second group B games knowing that nothing short of victory will leave their chances of progressing to the quarter finals of the 2013 Nations Cup very slim.
The Black Stars failure to protect a two-goal lead against DR Congo has thrown them up for early eviction if they fail to beat the Eagles at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Thurday afternoon.
This will be the third meeting between the two sides in a year after clashing twice at the 2012 finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Ghana won their Group stage encounter 2-0 before losing by the same score line in the third place play-off match.
Ghana Coach Kwesi Appiah will depend on Isaac Vorsah, who has shaken off a thigh injury, to shore up his backline to replace the inexperienced Jerry Akaminko.
He however has got injury concerns with teenage striker Richmond Boakye-Yiadom and midfielder Anthony Annan set to sit out the match.
Mali coach Patrice Carteron is also sweating on the fitness of duo Samba Diakite and Modibo Maiga. The duo only had brief training with the team on Monday.
The Eagles go into the match with less pressure after managing a 1-0 win over Niger in their opener courtesy inspirational captain Seydou Keita.
Mali are the only side with a win in Group B and a win against Ghana will ensure they become the first side to qualify for the quarter finals at the 2013 edition.
