Mali ‘hungry’ for victory over Namibia

Mali midfielder Kamory Doumbia believes that his side will be hungry and determined to get the win when they take on Namibia in their final Group E fixture at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night.

Kick-off is at 7pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

As it stands, Mali sit at the top of Group E following their 1-1 draw against Tunisia in their most recent Afcon tie. Prior to their game against the Carthage Eagles, Mali started their Afcon bid with a 2-0 win over South Africa.

Namibia head into their next game on the back of a heavy 4-0 loss to Bafana Bafana as they were unable to build momentum on their 1-0 victory against Tunisia at the start of the competition.

TEAM NEWS

Neither team has any fresh injury concerns ahead of the tie. Midfielder Yves Bissouma is expected to play a big part in the game against Namibia, after the Spurs star recently recovered from malaria. 

It has been reported that Limbondi and Petrus Shitembi could start the next game on the bench for Namibia after both players were withdrawn at halftime against Bafana Bafana.

WHAT WAS SAID....

"Our transitions were not so good; second balls also, we could not manage that. We were afoot late on the second balls, so the transitions were the ones that killed us after that,” said Namibia coach Collin Benjamin, after his side’s loss to South Africa.

"I suppose it always happens at the right time because we still have a game against Mali."

“We are going to try to win. We will play with hunger and determination,” Mali star Kamory Doumbia said.

“We wanted to win the match and got strong moments and then things just didn’t go our way and we couldn’t find the goals. The last match is crucial, and we will give it our best,” assured Doumbia.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Namibia: Deon Hotto – Largely played as a left-back for Orlando Pirates in recent times, Hotto returned to his best form during the Afcon after being slotted alongside Peter Shalulile in attack.

Mali: Yves Bissouma – Now back in the squad, the powerful midfielder will most likely be given the keys in the middle of the park. Namibia will have to be on high alert for the Spurs star, given his supreme ball carrying attributes.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Namibia and Mali met twice during Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers back in 2020 as Les Aigles bagged home and away victories against the Brave Warriors.