Mali (Group D)
After two successive third-placed finishes, Mali hope to kick on and prove their ability at this Nations Cup despite an inconsistent qualifying campaign. Mali have only played at eight Nations Cup tournaments, but on six of those occasions reached the final four. They were runners-up in 1972 and semi-fnalists in 1992, 2002 (as hosts), 2004, 2012 and 2013.
COACH
Polish-born Henryk Kasperczak, 61, returns to take charge at his sixth Nations Cup fnals, having already taken a team to the Final. The former World Cup defender was the coach of Ivory Coast at the 1994 finals, Tunisia two years later, Morocco in 2000, Mali when they hosted the 2002 fnals and Senegal in 2008. He steered a youthful Tunisia to a surprise appearance in the 1996 fnals, where they lost to hosts South Africa. He held the record for most number of matches coached at the fnals before it was broken by Frenchman Claude Le Roy in 2006.
KEY PLAYERS
Mali have retained 10 players from their last Nations Cup squad, even if they are over-reliant on Seydou Keita and Bordeaux forward Cheick Diabaté, whose knees have troubled him recently and missed the tournament. Drissa Diakité and Adama Tamboura are 10-year veterans while centre-back Salif Coulibaly could emerge as one of the finds of the competition.
LIKELY STARTING XI (4-2-3-1):
Oumar Sissoko - Drissa Diakite, Molla Wagué, Salif Coulibaly, Adama Tamboura - Tongo Doumbia, Yacouba Sylla - Sigamarry Diarra, Seydou Keita, Sambou Yatabaré - Modibo Maïga.
COACH
Polish-born Henryk Kasperczak, 61, returns to take charge at his sixth Nations Cup fnals, having already taken a team to the Final. The former World Cup defender was the coach of Ivory Coast at the 1994 finals, Tunisia two years later, Morocco in 2000, Mali when they hosted the 2002 fnals and Senegal in 2008. He steered a youthful Tunisia to a surprise appearance in the 1996 fnals, where they lost to hosts South Africa. He held the record for most number of matches coached at the fnals before it was broken by Frenchman Claude Le Roy in 2006.
KEY PLAYERS
Mali have retained 10 players from their last Nations Cup squad, even if they are over-reliant on Seydou Keita and Bordeaux forward Cheick Diabaté, whose knees have troubled him recently and missed the tournament. Drissa Diakité and Adama Tamboura are 10-year veterans while centre-back Salif Coulibaly could emerge as one of the finds of the competition.
LIKELY STARTING XI (4-2-3-1):
Oumar Sissoko - Drissa Diakite, Molla Wagué, Salif Coulibaly, Adama Tamboura - Tongo Doumbia, Yacouba Sylla - Sigamarry Diarra, Seydou Keita, Sambou Yatabaré - Modibo Maïga.
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