U-20 AFCON: Former Mali captain predicts tough game against Ghana

Former Mali U-20 skipper Ichaka Diarra has tipped Ghana’s Black Satellites to give the Malians a tough fight in the last group B game of the ongoing Total U-20 African Cup of Nations in Niger.

Diarra ,24, who was part of the 2015 squad that defeated Ghana in the last group game of that tournament has cautioned the Malians to expect a tough fight from the Black Satellites.

According to the AS Diaraf centre back, who scored the lone goal against Ghana in the 2015 edition of the U-20 AFCON, the Black Satellites will come into this game with revenge on their minds looking back at what transpired in the past two editions.

In an interview with Ghanacrusader.com writer Samuel Zigah, the big centre back shared his thoughts about the tournament so far, describing it as very competitive.

“For now I can say the competition is very very tight with all the teams giving their best.During our time we[Mali] fought very hard to reach the final of the tournament.”

When asked about his view on the final group B game between Mali and Ghana on Saturday, the former Esperance and AS Djoliba player admitted the game wouldn’t be dull, pointing to the fact that the Malians have had their tails up in recent times, suspecting a revenge on the minds of the Black Satellites.

“It will not be an easy game, looking back at the tournament in Senegal 2015, we beat Ghana 1-0 so it will be a revenge game and it will be a physical game , it will not be easy for both teams.”

The final group B game has a lot at stake for both sides , knowing that a win secures qualification to the semifinals and an automatic qualification to the world cup.Both sides are tied on 3 points with Ghana having a better goal difference, meaning a draw for Ghana could ensure their qualification to the next stage.

Mamoutou Kane is the head coach of Mali and he is eyeing a straight win over their west African fellows.

“The most important thing is to win so we managed to do that because in this game[against Burkina Faso] it was only about winning. The manner and style doesn’t matter.”

“We will now go into the next game trying to get a win and see how the standings look at that stage.” He told the media after the win against Burkina Faso.