We will beat Ghana-- Mali coach Carteron

Mali coach Patrice Carteron

COACH of the Malian national team, Patrice Carteron, says he will beat Ghana to ensure his charges become the first side to qualify for the quarter finals stage of the 2013 African Cup of Nations currently on-going in South Africa.

Mali, who currently leads Group B with three points after defeating Niger 1-0 Sunday night, was the first country to win a game at the tournament which has been plagued by drawn games.

For him, Ghana is a good side but he has better and a disciplined team that will triumph over the Black Stars, come tomorrow in their second group game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

“I watched Ghana’s game against DR Congo and I believe they should have won that game hands down but for the lack of tactical indiscipline on the part of the players they drew and I see that happening in our game against them.”

Malian midfielder Seydou Keita celebrates after scoring the lone goal against Niger

Speaking to Happy Fm from the team’s Protea Hotel in Nelspruit South Africa, Coach Carteron stated that he was mapping up a strategy to continue from where the DR Congo side left off against the Stars on Sunday, insisting that he will surely win to make sure Mali become the first country to make it to the next round. 

According to him, morale in camp after their win over Niger is very high and it will be one of the key factors as they go into their next game against the four-time African champions.

“We are having turbulent times back home and I believe a win over Ghana which will automatically see us qualifying for the quarter finals which will bring some joy and peace to the people of Mali.”

Black Stars players celebrating the opening goal of AFCON 2013

Although sounding very confident of beating Ghana, the coach revealed that he and his side are being cautious of a surprise from the young Ghanaian side who he believed played below their power in the opening game against Dr Congo.

“There are individually good players in the Ghana team who on a good day can cause havoc to any good side, so I will design a strategy to keep those players at bay and make sure they do not stop us from qualifying,”he added.