Mali have qualified for the semi-finals of the African U-20 Championship in Senegal and also for the 2015 Fifa U-20 World Cup in New Zealand after seeing off South Africa challenge in Group B on Thursday in M'Bour.
Hamidou Traoré, the man who was hugely instrumental in the Junior Eagles’ success against the Amajita, told supersport.com that his team are no longer underdogs of the tournament but now favourites.
“When we arrived in Senegal, we pulled little attention. Journalists were not even coming to our press conferences. Our team didn’t matter much, but right now I can confirm to you that there are many knocks on the door,†Traore said.
With South Africa hoping to revive their campaign after a botched up opener against Ghana (2-0), the 18-year-old winger of Club Olympique de Bamako said they were expecting to face a strong opposition on Thursday.
“Everybody knows it is difficult to play a team that is on the verge of elimination. And so we had prepared to confront a very tenacious side. The game wasn’t an easy one, but I believe better experience and a stronger determination gave us an edge.â€
After playing goalless through the first half and much of the second stanza, the Amajita broke the stalemate through Madisha Modjeka by the 72th minute. However, the lead was quickly eroded by a brace coming from Traore himself by the 78th and 87th minutes to seal his side’s qualification to the semi-finals and the Fifa U-20 World Cup.
Nigeria and Ghana have been traditional top favourites and are currently maintaining that status after recording two wins each from their two games. However, Traore believes Mali should now be added to the two-team list.
“We have gradually become a team to beat at the tournament alongside Nigeria and Ghana. We are no longer settling for less but looking forward to winning the title,†he said.
Mali and Ghana, already qualified, will face each other on Sunday in the last group matches.