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Mali v Ivory Coast preview

Tuesday 07-February-2012 17:59

Both sides reached the last four with victories over one of the co-hosts, but, while Mali edged past Gabon on penalties, Ivory Coast were emphatic 3-0 winners over Equatorial Guinea.

It is an unenviable task for Mali, who, despite having reached the semi-finals in five of the last seven Nations Cups, have a poor record against the Elephants and will be clear underdogs against one of the continent's powerhouses.

But Sow is viewing Wednesday's match in Libreville as an opportunity.

"I've dreamed of playing matches against the Ivory Coast," he was quoted as saying on the Mali Football website. "My dream has come true.

"We will not ask questions. We will play to win like we did from the beginning."

While many of Mali's squad play their football in Europe's top leagues - notably their captain, Barcelona star Seydou Keita - they do not have the star power of their opposition, whose squad includes the likes of Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Yaya Toure.

But Sow feels the Eagles' team ethic will serve them well.

"The star is the team," he said. "I hope we will prove it again."

Indeed, Elephants coach Francois Zahoui has been impressed with Mali's fighting spirit.

"I was at the Gabon-Mali game on Sunday and in their heads Gabon had already beaten Mali," he was quoted as saying on www.mtnfootball.com.

"But there was a determination in Mali that saw them win and we must be wary, our victory will not come in our minds, but on the pitch."

Ivory Coast were runners-up in 2006, semi-finalists in 2008 and suffered a heart-breaking quarter-final defeat against Algeria last time around.

Zahoui added: "He who has already been burned by fire knows what to expect.

"We experienced disappointment in 2006, 2008 and 2010. We must not forget that we will play a game that will be like a final before the final on Wednesday."

Kick-off is at 7pm (GMT).