Group favourites ripe for Quarter-finals
Soccer fixtures 
/ James Eastham / 28 January 2012 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market
With those two champing at the bit to get their first goals of the tournament, I'd back Ghana to win...
The Ayew brothers look fired-up to James Eastham, and will take Ghana to victory in the quarter-final of the African Cup this weekend.
Ghana v MaliMatch Odds: Ghana [1.86], Mali [5.1], The Draw [3.4].
Ghana and Mali go into this game looking to make it two wins out of two after making successful starts on Tuesday.
Ghana began with a 1-0 win over Botswana, captain John Mensah earning the points with a close-range finisher following a corner.
Mali saw off Guinea by the same scoreline thanks to a deflected first-half Bakary Traore strike.
Ghana's performance was the more impressive, without reaching the heights we know they can. They played the better football in their match and created some good scoring opportunities without managing a more comfortable winning scoreline. They suffered a blow in the second-half when goal-scorer and captain Mensah was sent off. He will miss this match.
In contrast, Mali were lucky to come away with three points. Guinea created plenty of scoring chances in that 1-0 win. A draw would have been a fairer reflection of the match.
Ghana were ante-post favourites to win Group D, and those opening matches have done nothing to change that view. Ghana are [1.5] to top the pool, with Guinea [3.05].
This could be the game where the tournament takes off for Ghana's highly-feted Ayew brothers. I've already tipped Andre to be the competition's top-scorer as he's one of the continent's most reliable goal-scoring mid-fielders, and younger brother Jordan -- who also plays for Marseille -- is a powerful striker who's been likened to Didier Drogba and George Weah by ex-Marseille president Pape Diouf, who knows a thing or two about African football.
With those two champing at the bit to get their first goals of the tournament, I'd back Ghana to win, although they may struggle to keep a clean sheet without Mensah on board. For that reason, over 2.5 goals is my second bet at a generous [2.68].
Best Bet: Ghana to beat Mali @ [1.86].
Other Recommended Bet: Over 2.5 Goals @ [2.68].
