Patrice Carteron, the coach of Mali, expressed his disappointment after his team’s loss to Nigeria, which means they won’t be playing in the final of the 2013 CAN. Despite the defeat, Carteron acknowledged the hard work and effort put in by his players over the past month and expressed pride in their achievements, including reaching the semi-final.
He recognized that Nigeria, coming off a victory against Ivory Coast, was a formidable opponent in good form. Carteron emphasized the positive aspects of Mali’s performance and the team’s journey in the tournament. Looking ahead, he noted that in a final, anything is possible, and the team that arrives with greater confidence doesn’t always guarantee victory.
Carteron also took responsibility for the defeat, mentioning that as a coach, he bears some responsibility for not bringing out the best in each player. He highlighted the challenges faced during the preparation, including the majority of players not being active in clubs at the start, and the absence of other standout players besides charismatic leader Seydou Keita.
