Ghana Held By Mali

Those people who were raving, ranting and boasting of an easy ride for Ghana have now got eggs splashed on their faces. It is clear these people did not give much thought to the cavalier preparations by the Black Stars as if there was nothing important at stake. We will be living in delusion if we think we can beat any team any how on any day with shoddy preparations.

2-2? Pathetic. We went for a stroll in the park but ended up fighting for our lives. I think the formation that we played the second half should start against Angola. Like I always say, "we have to get our passes together." And one very IMPORTANT thing. We play long balls to our strikers. Then you will see only one or at most both strikers fighting against the 4 or more defenders. The midfield doesn't join in the attack till the forwards loose the ball. We need to rectify these two mistakes very fast before the World Cup. Even before the ACN. By the way, I now believe what most people have been saying for a long time. Sulley is loosing his quality!!! Asamoah should have come on a long time ago. Sorry Sulley, I have always been your number 1 fan. I hope things change at the next match. Am glad we kept our high prided status though.

Ghana ended their World Cup qualifying campaign in an unimpressive fashion as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Mali in Kumasi on Sunday.

The Black Stars were expected to dominate the Group D game as they had already secured the group's sole ticket to the tournament in South Africa next year.

But the Malians had revenge on their minds as they were looking to avenge the defeat they suffered at the hands of their opponents in the first group meeting in Bamako in June.

Ghana used all their key players available including captain Stehpen Appiah, Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari while the Malian were without key stars Fredi Kanoute, Seydou Keita and Mahamadou Diarra.

The Black Stars looked confident and dominated the early exchanges but strikers Asamoah Gyan and Matthew Amoah fluffed good scoring opportunities set up by Appiah and Essien respectively.

Mali took the lead against the run of play when 's cross was met with a fierce drive from Lassana Fane that gave Ghana keeper Ricahrd Kingson on chance.

Ghana responded immediately but Amoah's header came off the bar while Muntari grazed the post.

Matthew Amoah drew the Black Stars level in the 64th minute when the Malian goalkeeper failed to handle a long-range drive from Asamoah Gyan.

The Holland-based forward followed up with another drive that left the Malian shot stopper sprawling.

But the Eagles were not to be cowed by the reinvigorated home side as they went in the lead once again.

The Ghanaian defence was caught napping and a diving header from went unchallenge and beat goalkeeper Richard Kingson.

THe Black Stars revived themselves and in the 83rd Anthony Annan headed in Eric Addo's free-kick to save the blushes of the Black Stars.

Ghana finished top of the group with 13 points from their six matches, while Mali had to be satisfied with third spot with nine points, one behind second-placed Benin.

Mali finished in third place - one point adrift of Benin - but they will still play in January's African Nations Cup. Ghana will plunge into their Nations Cup prepapration from Wednesday when they play Angola in a friendly in Luanda.

The Black Stars had already secured their place at next year's World Cup having sealed Group D's top spot two months ago.