Eagles hunt maximum points

African Cup of Nations qualifier at Rufaro on Sunday.
The Eagles, who took second spot in Group A following the 1-0 victory over the Warriors in the reverse fixture, are expected in the capital on Friday.
The West Africans arrived in South Africa on Monday from where they will continue with their preparations before travelling to Harare.
Giresse yesterday told AfrikFoot that he was confident of a positive result away from home following his team’s good showing in the reverse fixture in Bamako on March 26.
“As is the case with each match, I do not prepare to lose it. I do not know anybody who says ‘Hmm . . . not, that one, I do not want to win it. No need!
“As a player and now as a coach, I always approached the matches with the same frame of mind, whatever the stake, the opponents or the situation, the aim is to win,” said Giresse.
Giresse said Mali, who trail leaders Cape Verde by one point in Group A, are not leaving anything to chance and that is why they decided to travel early and camp in South Africa to finalise their preparations.
“There are several reasons why we chose South Africa. The principal one is that it was a question of finding the conditions of the match.
“We play in Zimbabwe, in full southern winter, with temperatures lower than in Bamako. We sought similar conditions with Harare, and we came up with Johannesburg as our choice.
“Then, there is the length of the trip. The African continent is very large and there are more than eight hours from Bamako to Harare. It is not ideal to arrive at the last minute. We are hunting for the points,” Giresse said.
The Eagles coach, however, declined to reveal much about his game plan as he seeks to complete a double over the Warriors.
“I will not reveal my tactics but it will be necessary to adapt. The season was long for everyone. But it will quickly be necessary to be demonstrate that we can adapt in this match. Fortunately, there is not much of our players who had a bad season. There will be nothing to disturb them, they will be able to remain concentrated”.
Giresse had been under pressure at home for leaving out Barcelona striker Seydou Keita, Garra Dembe and Frederick Kanoute from his squad but he defended his decision and explained that the team would still do well without them.
“Keita took retreat after the Africa of the Nations in Angola. It is true that he said that he was ready to return. But, meanwhile, without him, there is a group which was set up. He was not considered in this team.
“But Kanouté, It’s not me who is preventing him from returning! He left after the trauma in Angola. I arrived afterwards and knowing the context, it is necessary to give him his time. In France, they always cry Zinédine Zidane. Me, with Mali, I must build something. We are in full rebuilding and I will make do with the players that I have,” Giresse said.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Oumar Sissoko (Metz), Soumbeyla Diakité (Stage Malian), Almamy Sogoba (ACE Real).
Defenders: Cédric Kanté (Panathinaïkos), Adama Tamboura (Metz), Adama Coulibaly (Auxerre), Tinder Sidibé (Auxerre), Drissa Diakité (Nice), Ousmane Berthé (Jomo Cosmos), Mohamed Fofana (Toulouse), Abdoulaye Maïga (USM Algeria).
Midfielders: Mahamadou Diarra (ACE Monaco), Kalilou Traoré (OB Odense), Bakaye Traoré (ACE Nancy), Abdou Traoré (OGC Nice), Samba Sow (RC Lens), Ismaël Kéita (FC Nantes), Sambou Yatabaré (Caen), El Hadj Mahamane Traoré (FC Metz).
Strikers: Modibo Maïga (Sochaux), Cheick Tidiane Diabaté (Bordeaux), Ténéma N’ Diaye (Metz), Mustapha Yatabaré (US Boulogne). Youssouf Diallo.