Preview: Black Stars hope to bounce back after Senegal defeat

The Black Stars return to the pitch on Tuesday after suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Teranga Lions of Senegal on Saturday in Le Havre, France.

Moussa Konate’s brace confined Avram Grant’s men to a second defeat at the hands of Senegal in two months after the same score line was recorded in their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations clash in Equatorial Guinea.

Mali, meanwhile, also lost their friendly match against Gabon last Wednesday on a 4-3 score line. With this development, both sides will be aiming to win Tuesday’s game.

For Mali coach, Alain Giresse, playing against a good side like Ghana will afford him the opportunity to build a team ahead of the 2017 Afcon qualifiers.

The Frenchman, who was recently appointed for a second spell in charge of the Eagles after parting ways with Senegal, would however, be monitoring from the stands as his appointment begins on April 1.

He led Mali to a third place finish at the 2012 Afcon in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea during his first reign.

Both Ghana and Mali have very good memories of their recent meetings at the Afcon level. In 2012, Ghana beat Mali at the group stage, but the Eagles stood tall during the third place play-off. The script was re-written at the 2013 edition in South Africa.

Clearly, the Black Stars have a score to settle in Paris on Tuesday night. Even though they missed out on a quarter-final berth at the 2015 Afcon after the drawing of lots, the Eagles are still one of the decent sides on the continent; and would be tough customers for the 2015 Afcon finalists.

Ghana could be without Evian defender Jonathan Mensah who limped off during Saturday’s match against Senegal.