Salif (4) uncompromising against Jordan AYEW
AFCON 2017, GHANA-MALI 1-0
Salif COULIBALY makes a very good AFCON but...
January 21, 2017
On Saturday 21 December, Mali of Salif COULIBALY lost 1-0 against Ghana in their second game in the 2017 AFCON. Salif COULIBALY was the holder and the giant TPM defender he played the entire game. But Salif could not stop the ambitions of the Black Stars who were satisfied with the sole goal of Asamoah GYAN in the 21st. Very bad performance for the Eagles who had already been held in check by Egypt for their first game in the competition.
Just after the defeat of the Eagles of Mali, Egypt has beaten Uganda 1-0, the Pharaohs have thanks to a goal by El SAID in the 89th eliminated the Cranes dear to the best goalkeeper of the continent, Denis ONYANGO.
Salif very big but a small Mali
Salif COULIBALY, a central defender with the Eagles, played both games in Mali, facing Egypt (0-0) and Ghana (0-1) respectively. Despite the defeat against Black Stars, Salif showed that he is a monster on the physical plane, putting an impact in his game which made him almost intractable in the duels. The TPM Control Tower has an exceptional level of relaxation, but he has also created a supernumerary attack in order to operate his impressive heads-up but without success against the Black Stars of Ghana.
On both games, Salif proved his ability to "play simple" while having the power to put his team in the direction of the march from the central defense. Unfortunately not enough for Mali, currently 3rd in Group D with 1 point, behind Ghana 6 points and already qualified for the quarters and Egypt 4 points.
Egypt or Mali: who will accompany Ghana?
On the third day in Group D on Wednesday, January 25, two duels are to be watched: Egypt-Ghana in Port Gentil and Mali-Uganda in Oyem (19:00 GMT). Pharaohs in search of a qualification and Black Stars in the fight to keep their first place while Uganda (0 point and already eliminated) will defy Mali at the same time (1 point). Salif COULIBALY and his teammates are forced to a victory while hoping that Ghana beats Egypt! A draw between Ghanaians and Egyptians would eliminate Mali.