Ghana Steeled For Mali Examination

Ghana's future at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations will be clearer after playing Mali on Thursday in Port Elizabeth. 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. 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 scoreline in the third place play-off match. Head coach Kwesi Appiah is prepared to ring changes after his side were pinned down by the Leopards of DR Congo in their opener. The ex-Black Stars captain will defend on Isaac Vorsah, who has shaken off a thigh injury, to shore up his backline to replace the inexperienced Jerry Akaminko. "Any tactic that you play depends on the opponent that you are meeting," Appiah said. "You look at how your opponent plays and then you would adopt your tactical play. "Saying that, playing against Mali will depend on how we saw the game yesterday so we will sit down and plan our tactics." Appiah 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 two players from English Premier League sides QPR and West Ham United 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. Carteron said that win was the elixir his side needed ahead of tomorrow's clash. "But I�m happy for the players because they have worked hard and this win will boost confidence for the next match against Ghana." Mali are the only side with a win in Group B.