Mali coach Patrice Cateron

Mali coach Patrice Cateron is considering using fringe players in the 2013 Nations Cup third-place playoff against Ghana.

The Eagles are looking to repeat last year’s feat by beating the Black Stars again to clinch bronze on Saturday.

Mali were 2-0 winners over Ghana in the last AFCON in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea to place third.

Ghana in that game fielded most of their fringe players while the Malians presented a strong side to pick up their final win of that campaign.

Coach Cateron is now looking to do the opposite on Saturday with his opposite number, Akwasi Appiah likely to also give other potentials in his team a rare opportunity to play.

“I’m going to put the best team on the field tomorrow, but I have to take care of the situation,” Cateron said.

“Most of the players gave 100 percent and are very tired both mentally and physically.

“The best thing might be to put some young players in, because they will want to show me that I can trust them for the future.

“Maybe the best team will be the ones who want to show something and want to become pivotal in the future.”

Mali just like last year, finished second in Group B behind Ghana and went on to beat host South Africa 3-1 on penalties in the quarter-finals.

They were however thumped 4-1 by a powerful Nigerian side in the semi-finals to set up another West African showdown with Ghana who also succumbed to Burkina Faso at the last four stage.

Source: MTNFootball.com