Black Meteors head coach, Ibrahim Tanko, is hopeful that the team will overcome its current difficult situation and make the semi-finals of the ongoing U-23 AFCON tournament in Egypt.
The Meteors must beat Mali on Thursday and hope that Egypt will defeat Cameroon to give them a chance of getting into the semi-finals and keep their Olympic dream alive.
After drawing with Cameroon in the opening Group A match, the Meteors lost 3-2 to Egypt on Monday and now, they virtually have their fate in the hands of the Egyptians.
Despite these circumstances, Ibrahim Tanko said at the pre-match press conference that he was confident the team would get into the semi-finals but he expected a tough test from the Malians.
“We have a chance to make it to the next stage while Mali have zero points but I know that they are not going to take it easy on us because of the rules of fair play in football.
We are determined to win the match and make it to the next stage. I am optimistic that the players are ready to get the victory.”
Team captain, Yaw Yeboah, was equally full of belief and stated that he and his team mates were willing to get the right result.
“We have confidence that we can make something happen. The match will be tough but we are ready and we will have to get the victory.
It is unfortunate that we lost the last match to Egypt but we are getting ready and prepared for this match and we will see what will happen.”
Should Ghana and Cameroon be level on points after the third group stage match, they will separated by goal difference or goals scored in the group stage matches since the head-to-head between is even after they drew 1-1.