AFCON 2015 – MALI FACING A DO-OR-DIE CLASH AGAINST ALGERIA
Mali, a consistent force in recent Africa Cup of Nations tournaments with back-to-back third-place finishes, is now teetering on the brink of elimination. Ahead of their final Group B clash on Wednesday, the Eagles must beat high-flying Algeria to keep their hopes of reaching the 2015 AFCON finals in Equatorial Guinea alive.
The mood in the Malian camp is one of urgency and determination. After a disappointing 0–2 loss to Malawi, which exposed frailties in attack, coach Henry Kasperczak is calling for a strong reaction from his players.
“We had a bad match against Malawi, especially in attack. Now, we need to show a different face,” the veteran Franco-Polish tactician said. “We have our backs to the wall. There’s no room for calculations—we must win.”
Algeria, already qualified and full of confidence with five wins from five games, may seem like a daunting final opponent. But Kasperczak is adamant that Mali must rely on their own performance rather than hoping for complacency from the Fennecs.
“We can’t count on Algeria taking it easy. We must believe. It’s possible. This match will define the future of the Malian team.”
Group B Situation (as of Matchday 5):
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Algeria – 15 pts ✅ (Qualified)
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Mali – 6 pts
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Malawi – 6 pts
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Ethiopia – 3 pts ❌ (Eliminated)
Only a win will do for Seydou Keita and company, and depending on results elsewhere, goal difference or head-to-head could be decisive in determining if Mali advances—potentially even as one of the best third-placed teams.
It’s now or never for the Eagles.
