Semi-final match in Durban on Wednesday 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa - Mali's coach and captain have described the Super Eagles of Nigeria as a good team, acknowledging that the team outplayed the Eagles of Mali in their semi-final match in Durban on Wednesday, at the ongoing 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
“We lost against a good team that was full of confidence tonight. We played a team that just beat Cote d’Ivoire and you could see their confidence on the night. What happened to us tonight is very difficult. Mali has been able to reach the semi-finals before and we also achieved that – which is good,” coach Patrice Carteron said after the match, which Nigeria won 4-1 to reach the final.
He said he is proud of his team, despite its loss in the semi, adding: “We are proud of the fact that we have been able to play well. I’m proud of my team even though we did not go to the final. We have to remain positive.'
Also speaking, Mali captain Seydou Keita said his team lost to a better team.
“There is no point in trying to point fingers at other people. I don’t need to make excuses. The problem is that we played against a very good team and we didn’t really handle them well,' he said.
'Today we failed to win; it is not about individuals but about a collective effort. We were very happy against South Africa because we played as a team. Tonight we didn’t play well and we must all share responsibility,” the Mali captain said.
He said his team must now shed its disappointment and prepare for its third-place match against Ghana on Saturday.
Mali finished third at the last edition of the Nations Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Pana 07/02/2013