5th February 2012

Gabon vs Mali Betting: Co-hosts Gabon can set up semi final showdown with Ivory Coast

The one remaining co-host in the African Nations Cup attempt to make it to the semi final in the first of Sunday’s quarter finals. Gabon take on Mali for a place in the last four where the winners will play Ivory Coast later in the week. Gabon qualified as winners of Group C while Mali came through as runners up in Group D with a win in their last group match.

Gabon have been one of the teams of the tournament so far. They attack with an awful lot of pace and power and have their opponents on the back foot from the word go. Gabon were given an injury concern when their star man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang picked up an injury in training in midweek but fortunately for the side he is expected to play. Rodrigue Moundounga and Cédric Moubamba are also likely to be fit despite picking up muscle strains.

Mali have no new injury problems and with the return of Samba Diakite from suspension they have almost a fully fit squad to choose from. Mali haven’t been as impressive as Gabon throughout the tournament but they won the two games in their group which they needed to win and having failed to get out of the group stage for the last two tournaments that’s a decent achievement. Once again Seydou Keita will look to lead Mali around the park in the hope they can upset the co-hosts.

I don’t see that happening though and I think Gabon will set up a heavyweight semi final with Ivory Coast. Gabon have been sound enough at the back but very powerful up front and while Mali aren’t the easiest side to break down Botswana broke through their defences in the last match and that’s a worrying sign for Mali. I think Gabon will be too strong for them.

Back Gabon to beat Mali for a 4/10 stake at 1.95 with Blue Square

» £25 Free Bet at Blue Square