Three reasons why Mali coach won’t take Bafana Bafana lightly
Mali national team coach Éric Sékou Chelle has picked three reasons why they won’t take Bafana Bafana lightly when they meet in the 2023 AFCON Group E tie on Tuesday in Korhogo, Ivory Coast.
The Eagles kick off their AFCON campaign with a tie against Bafana at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium. Kick-off is 10pm [SA time].
Both teams will be looking to get off to a good start in a group that also has Tunisia and Namibia.
Chelle highlights the potential advantage of the Bafana squad’s strong DStv Premiership contingent, citing familiarity and consistent competition as key benefits.
WHAT CHELLE SAID ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA
“They’re all playing in the same championship,” he told journalists during a press conference in Korhogo. He also believes the fact that South Africa have previously won AFCON, a 1996 team assistant coach Helman Mkhalele was part of, gives them an edge.
His Bafana counterpart, Hugo Broos, is also a 2017 winner of the competition with Cameroon. “They’ve won the AFCON before. We respect the South African team. We know that it won’t be an easy match. They’ve been participating in the AFCON for many years.”
The Malian coach also recognises the tactical shift under Broos in the last two years. “Since the arrival of the coach, they have changed; they keep the ball and find weaknesses in the opponents. They are very technical players.”
Instead of fear, Chelle expresses excitement for the challenge. “I’m very happy to play South Africa because they play good football,” he says. “We have our strengths and weaknesses.”
The stage is for a fascinating encounter with Mothobi Mvala and Ronwen Williams back in the team after sitting it out last week in the Lesotho friendly. Themba Zwane is equally fit and looks set to start the match on Tuesday.
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