ACTUALITE |
08.01.2002
Football fans welcome Mali`s 2-1 victory over Egypt
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Malian football fans have expressed
optimism of doing well at the forthcoming CAN 2002 finals
following their Eagles` 2-1 victory over Egypt`s Pharaohs Sunday
in Ismailia, Egypt.
Mali hosts the football bonanza from 19 January to 10 February.
Throughout the streets of Bamako and in "grins" (youth discussion
clubs), the fans expressed pleasure at the victory which Malians
considered as decisive in the team`s preparations for the
continental tournament that their country is hosting from 19
January to 10 February.
"The victory has given us much hope for the coming competition,"
said Teacher Mamadou Toure in Bamako.
Jeweller Karamoko Ballo joined the chorus, saying that the
victory would be a catalyst for French-Polish Henri Kasperczak`s
proteges to do better in the tournament, or even win the cup.
The final victory is not a dream, according to student Aliou
Camara, who believes that the national team should not be
under-estimated with regard to its "honourable" results during
the friendly matches.
Since the inaugural tournament of the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako
in November, the Eagles have made substantial progress in the
view of sports fans in the capital.
The only poor performance was the team`s 3-0 defeat against Cote
d`Ivoire at the end of November, they noted.
The Eagles had a 1-1 draw respectively with Morocco`s Atlas Lions
and Ghana`s Black Stars recently.
They defeated Burkina Faso`s Stallions 3-2 before beating Egypt
2-1 on Sunday.
In its final preparation match, Mali will lock horns with the
Zambian side on 10 January in Kayes, one of the five venues
earmarked to host CAN 2002 matches.
Many fans believe that the Eagles will perform well during the
tournament, their third participation after Cameroon in 1972
where they were defeated by Congo 2-3 in the final and Tunisia in
1994 where they ended fourth.
Mali is drawn in Group A with Nigeria, Algeria and Liberia.
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