Giresse calls for Eagles calm
Mali coach Alain Giresse is preaching composure ahead
of his team's African Cup of Nations opener with Guinea in Franceville on
Tuesday.
Giresse: Wants calm heads
Mali coach Alain Giresse is preaching composure ahead of his team's African Cup of Nations opener with Guinea in Franceville on Tuesday.
The Eagles, who hope to make amends for their first round exit in the previous AFCON, have been drawn in Group D, along with tournament contenders Ghana and maiden qualifiers Botswana.
Giresse is wary of the occasion getting to his charges.
"You have to stay calm and not play the match before you have played it," he said.
"You have to have self control. It's important to be controlled to face the challenges ahead."
The former France international also dismissed talk that the absence of continental giants Egypt, Cameroon and Nigeria will make for an easier tournament.
"These are just impressions. Those who deserve to be here are here. It would be disrespectful to consider it any other way," he said.
"We must respect the teams who qualified for this tournament. It is not a given that the same teams must always be here.
"There are no longer easy teams and easy matches at this level of competition and as such we all must take the Nations Cup a lot more seriously."
Giresse had to make late changes to his squad following injuries to key pair Mohamed Fofana and Khalilou Traore, prompting call-ups for Ousmane Berthe and Souleymane Keita.
"When a player is injured, it is always regrettable. But we have to carry on," said Giresse.
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