The Malian national football team is confident in its chances against its Ivorian counterpart in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
Despite facing the two-time titleholder, Ivory Coast, which plays on home turf, Mali remains resolute in pursuing victory.
Eric Bailly, the former Malian star and current coach of the national team, urged his players to give their best during a press conference on Friday.
He stated, “We understand the difficulty of the match, but my team’s players need to harness their potential and make every effort to win, advance to the next round, and continue the dream of securing their first continental titles.”
Mali appears to be more stable than Ivory Coast, having topped Group F with 5 points, defeating South Africa 2-0, drawing with Tunisia 1-1, and playing a goalless draw against Namibia.
They secured their place in the quarter-finals by overcoming Burkina Faso 2-1. In contrast, Ivory Coast struggled to advance after finishing third in their group with only 3 points.
They secured a victory in the subsequent round against Senegal through a penalty shootout.
Coach Bailly relies on a group of stars, led by the attacking duo of Youssef Niakate and Lassana Sinayoko, along with the midfield quartet of Alyou Diang, Fosseni Diabate, Ives Bissouma, and Nieny Dorgeles.
The defensive line features Hamari Traore and Moussa Diarra, with Djigui Diarra guarding the goal.
As the two teams prepare to clash, Mali remains determined to face the challenges and continue their journey towards potential continental glory.
The match promises to be a test of skill, resilience, and the pursuit of footballing dreams on the African stage.
