Maiga fit to face Ghana

West Ham striker Modibo Maiga will feature for Mali in a Group B match against Ghana Thursday after recovering from a thigh injury.

Maiga missed the opening group game against Niger, which Mali won 1-0 last weekend through a late Seydou Keita goal.

"Maiga is fully fit and will play against Ghana. It's a big boost for us," team manager Amadou Cisse told AFP in this Indian Ocean city.

However, the Mali official said Lens midfielder Samba Sow has not recovered from an illness that sidelined him for the Niger game.

Mali top the group with three points, ahead of Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo, who have one point each after a thrilling 2-2 draw. Group winners and runners-up qualify for the quarter-finals.