Coulibaly says Mali mentality is key to beat Senegal
Midfielder Lassana Coulibaly says Mali needs to show the same determination that it used to overcome Tunisia in order to beat Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
Mali needed penalties to make it through to the final eight after a 1-1 draw with Tunisia, which was full of drama after Woyo Coulibaly's 26th-minute red card.
Firas Chaouat looked to have scored the winner for Tunisia in the 88th minute before Lassine Sinayoko's 96th-minute penalty forced extra time, with Mali holding out to win 3-2 on penalties.
It was Mali's fourth consecutive draw at the tournament, but Lassana Coulibaly is not concerned about his nation's lack of a victory inside 90 minutes, as he believes its mental strength is enough to keep pushing it through.
"Against Tunisia, we needed to show strong mentality as it was 10 against 11," he said. "We will need the same mentality against Senegal. We want to progress, and we feel we have nothing to lose.
"We are not the favourites, but with our mental and physical strength, we feel we can win."
Mali coach Tom Saintfiet agreed that Senegal would prove the biggest test to date for Mali, adding: "The eight teams who have qualified for the quarters are all the big footballing countries in Africa, but I think we are playing the best.
"The only team they've lost to over the last few years was Brazil. They even beat England. It's a stable team but also very strong, who score easily, who don't give up much and are very dangerous."
Senegal, meanwhile, has only failed to win once so far at the tournament and cruised into the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Sudan.
In seven of its last 11 games at AFCON, Senegal has scored more than two goals. It could do so in three successive matches at the tournament for the first time.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw highlighted how important it is to get a victory over Mali, given the rivalry between the two nations.
"These are two brother countries," he said. "Personally, I am half Senegalese and half Malian!
"A derby is meant to be won. It's up to us to put all the ingredients in place to go get qualification and go all the way."
