Mali/Botswana: Quarter-Finals Loom for Lacklustre Mali Side

Mali have looked less than convincing in the Cup of Nations so far, but will be pleased with the character they showed against Botswana on Wednesday.

The Maliens came from behind to secure a 2-1 win and seal their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face co-hosts Gabon.

Having beaten Guinea and then lost to Ghana, Mali’s qualification for the latter stages was very much up in the air even after the final whistle last night.

Although they won, they still had to wait anxiously to make sure Guinea did not inflict a surprise defeat on Ghana to overtake them in second place in the group standings.

Mali coach Alain Giresse will be hoping his side have yet to peak at the tournament. In his favour is that he knows the Gabon side inside out, having coached them from 2006 to 2010.

“I will not have to prepare a lot, as I know most of the players,” Giresse said. “However, it will not be something personal for me.”

Mali have looked lacklustre and ponderous, even against a Botswana side who were thumped 6-1 in their last outing against Guinea.

Indeed, Mali were outplayed for large parts of the game. But when it mattered, after they had fallen behind, they managed to pull themselves out of a hole.

They should also fancy their chances against Gabon in the next round.

The Gabonese will have home ground advantage of course and look to be in fine form, but man-for-man Mali can match them.

It now turns on belief and confidence. Giresse will hope they discovered that last night.