We will shock DRC, says Mali head coach

SUNDAY Third Place Guinea vs Côte dIvoire - 3pm FinalDR Congo vs Mali - 6:30pm Mali head coach Djibril Drame has said his side is capable of shocking favourites DR Congo to lift the 2016 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) title on Sunday at Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali. Drame, whose youthful Malia side, came into the competition as minnows have gone on to become the tournament’s dark-horse, and are one win away from the ultimate prize. “It was a competitive game against Côte dIvoire, but I believe we can put on a better performance on Sunday. We are happy to reach the final. We are going to study their game to identify their strength and weakness,” Drame said after Mali’s 1-0 win over Côte dIvoire on Thursday. He added that “against DR Congo, it’s going to be tougher, but we are not disturbed by the challenge ahead. I have prepared my players, and I’m sure we will be well prepared even for the final.” “Our players have to be more focused than they did against Côte dIvoire. I am satisfied with the performance, our aim was to go past the group stage, so being in the final is a bonus, which we’re glad to take,” he noted. Meanwhile, Côte dIvoire coach Michel Dussuye admitted that his side was not good enough to win the semi-final game, against Mali. “We didn’t perform well, that is why we lost and Mali deserved to go through because they played better than us. It is unfortunate, but we have to take this defeat as a lesson and look forward to the next game, against Guinea, which will not be easy,” he added. Midfielder Yves Bissouma came off the bench to score an 89th minute winner as Mali defeated Côte dIvoire 1-0 at Kigali Regional Stadium. In group stages Mali drew 2-2 against Uganda and won 1-0 over Zimbabwe before they played out a goalless draw against Zambia, hence advancing to the last eight unbeaten during qualification, behind Zambia. However, Djibril’s side went on to defeat two pre-tournament favourites, including beating Tunisia 2-1 in the quarter-final and Côte dIvoire 1-0 in the last four. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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We will shock DRC, says Mali head coach