Mali have beaten 10-man Ghana 2-0 in the third-place match at the African Cup of Nations for their best finish since it lost the 1972 final.

Cheick Diabate scored both goals on Saturday as Mali avenged its 2-0 defeat to Ghana in the group stage.

The Ghanaians ended with successive losses after their surprise semi-final failure against Zambia.

Diabate pounced on a rebound to put Mali ahead in the 23rd minute and then slid in for the goal that sealed victory with 10 minutes left.

A lacklustre Ghana struggled to find any rhythm at Nuevo Estadio de Malabo and defender Isaac Vorsah was sent off in the 64th for kicking out at Bakaye Traore.