Preview: Ghana vs Mali

Third-place play-off often carries a tag of little importance but for Ghana and Mali, the losing semi-finalists at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations; it’s another game of playing to win.

Saturday’s fixture at the Estadio Nuevo in Malabo at 8:00pm local time (19:00 GMT) is a competition for pride and an anticlimax to the finals on Sunday.

However, for both sides, it demands same importance as either side bid to finish on the high after failing to achieve their target, the African Cup.

The Black Stars beat Mali 2-0 in the group stages but the Eagles will also fancy their chances against a Ghana side missing four key players.

Captain John Mensah and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu are out injured with thigh and knee injuries respectively.

Derek Boateng and John Boye will sit out the match at the 16,000 capacity stadium as both players are serving suspensions.

However, Ghana defender Samuel Inkoom wants the national team to finish with a win after seeing their title dreams fade away.

“We need to go all out to get something. It is unfortunate that we could not take the trophy, that was out target but I believe we have to do something for the nation,” Inkoom said on the eve of the match.

“It might be third place but it’s another game and important to win for our country. We would pick up ourselves and go into the game. We have psyched up ourselves and will do our best.”

For Mali coach, Alain Giresse, his team are up for the challenge, saying: “We've learned from the past.”

Perhaps, the motivation to win in the third-place match could serve as a good prelude to the final but also showcase the beautiful game on the continent to the world.