'Paranoid' Mali shut their door to the world

From Veronica Commey, (GNA Special Correspondent in Franceville, Gabon, courtesy Ministry of Youth and Sports)

Franceville, Gabon, Jan. 26, GNA - Mali has turned understandably paranoid ahead of their second Group D game with Ghana"s Black Stars at the Franceville Stadium, on Saturday.

Mali who were winners of their opener against Guinea has shut it's door to the world in their bid to keep to themselves their plans in the game they yearn for a decent result.

Coach Alain Girese who, however, granted an interview with GNA Sports at the team's base at Bongoville, Franceville, after initial disagreements with the international media, said grabbing all three points at the expense of Ghana is his charges preoccupation at the moment, insisting Mali will come all guns blazing in the Saturday duel.

Mali was lone goal winner over Guinea on match day one and coach Girese insist moving past Ghana would be ideal, even before their last game with Botswana.

He reckoned that the Black Stars will be tough customers in the game as the outcome would ultimately define the progress of both teams in the competition that tagged Ghana as one of the favourites.

“Ghana is a very strong team and would be a big mistake to underestimate them. They have quality players but our aim would be to get all three points from them”.

“For us, our mind is set on going all the way, which means getting every point. Though Ghana will be very tough, our focus is enough motivation going into the game”.

Both teams walk into Saturday's game as joint leaders in the group having won by a lone goal each in their matches and the coach says “there are no underdogs in the group knowing how Botswana played against Ghana".

“For that reason, we will like to get all the points even before our last game since it would make things easy for our progress”. He reasoned.

Ghana will be without captain John Mensah who was red carded during the first game with Botswana and even though the coach recognises the central defender's quality, he insists that's not enough reason to undervalue the Stars team.

“I have great respect for them and we are cautious of the threat they pose to our aspirations”. The coach said.

The Stars also beat Botswana in the first encounter and are joint leaders with Mali on three points apiece.