Keshi, Yobo braced for 'difficult' Mali

Posted: 6 February 2013 Time: 05:19 am

Nigeria are under no illusions as to how tough an examination they will face against Mali on Wednesday.

The Super Eagles play Mali's own Eagles in the first of the 2013 African Nations Cup semifinals, and both coach Stephen Keshi and captain Joseph Yobo are bracing for an exacting test.

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"This is not going to be an easy game. Mali are very strong, very technical very tactical and we both play similar games, so it will be a very difficult game against them," Yobo said.

Keshi, who coached Mali for two years, leading them to the last African Nations Cup, insists that the squad deserve to be where they are.

"At least 85 percent of this team played under me and they are very good, very talented players. We know it will not be an easy game, so we have to work hard and stay focused if we want to win this game."

After the high of eliminating tournament favourites Cote d'Ivoire, Yobo says the Super Eagles are riding a crest of confidence

"There is confidence in the squad after the last result, and we hope that that confidence will help us when we play against this very difficult Mali team."

Article by: Colin Udoh

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Sir eeemzaa-walikhosi
posted: 05:26 am
Pierats spent 34 years (1937-1971) without a silverware. Mxm joke team.

K4L : let's hear
NaijaBros
posted: 06:09 am
Good luck to the Super Eagles. The match will be tough since we usually get eliminated at the semi-finals. May the best eagles win.

Up naija.
CKALAZY
posted: 06:31 am
GOOD TALK FROM OUR CAPTAIN JOSEPH YOBO.SO DON'T REST ON YOUR LAURELS BUT KEEP FLYING HIGH THE SUPER EAGLES OF NIGERIA.
X ungasolveki
posted: 06:44 am
I see nigeria vs ghana in the final
JuJu-T
posted: 07:06 am
Eesilima walezebra were did u find dose stats cause ur parents were in primary school ntwana.
Harambe
posted: 07:25 am
Soccer Critic (Tivani)
Welcome back, please reclaim what belongs to you , please sort out the a certain farm boy and his bloody guard who guards him with a knop kiri
JuJu-T
posted: 07:27 am
Super Eagles beware of Keita cause he mite try to pull ur da same stunt dat he did against yeye. Gudluck SUPER EAGLES.
Sir eeemzaa-walikhosi
posted: 07:28 am
JuJu-Tposted: 07:06 am  |  Report
Eesilima walezebra were did u find dose stats cause ur parents were in primary school ntwana.

############################
Here are the stats my friend: pirats 1st trophy was on 1971 and it was found on 1937

Orlando Pirates

Nickname: The Buccaneers
Formed: 1937
Major honours: League titles: 9 (1971, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1994, 2001, 2003, 2011, 2012); Top Eight Cup titles: 9 (1972, 1974, 1978, 1983, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2010, 2011); League Cup titles: 1 (2011); National Cup titles: 7 (1973, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1988, 1996, 2011); Other cup titles: 6 (1975, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1992); 1995 African Champions Cup; 1996 African Super Cup.
Goldilight
posted: 07:32 am
I hope Nigeria thrash the malians. Some of their players are arrogant and cocky. But overall I want ghana to lift the trophy.
Sechaba
posted: 07:36 am
I have two category 1 tickets for Mali .vc Nigeria for free. First come first served .0847776113.
twalop@cput.ac.za
posted: 07:46 am
Ghana is my favourite to win the cup.
Apiripah
posted: 08:17 am
If 85 percent of mali team played under Keshi,which means the team is shoody.With individual talents and strengths,Super Eagles might carry the day.However,teamwork and intelligence win championships.
Jacob/Styles
posted: 08:42 am
I see a very tight match, however Nigeria has an edge in that Mali have sloppy defence which was troubled by Bafana's pace in the first half. Nigeria has a deadly combination in Emenike and Moses, I also like their transition in attack. Surely it's not a one man show but if they can close Seydou Keita half of the job will be done, he makes the entire team tick. I'm looking forward to this great game, I forgot to mention for the sake of an African coach winning this tournament all my best wishes goes to the Big Boss.
Tico MP
posted: 08:49 am
eeemzaa-walikhosi

posted: 05:26 am | Report

Pierats spent 34 years (1937-1971) without a silverware. Mxm joke team.

K4L : let's hear
===============
SHU! SHAME ON RATS
Cosa-nostra(5Families)
posted: 08:49 am
So Mali have just kept quiet preparing for a suprise Jes i like football
Skhumba Touch
posted: 08:59 am
Mali vs Ghana final, and the winner is Ghana, 1-0
SDO-WAALIKHOOSI
posted: 09:32 am
Tico MPposted: 08:49 am eeemzaa-walikhosi

posted: 05:26 am | Report

Pierats spent 34 years (1937-1971) without a silverware. Mxm joke team.

K4L : let's hear
===============
SHU! SHAME ON RATS
#####################################################

My felow khosi nation it comes as no wonder when i see these pierats always angry , these 34 years of droought brings anger to them. Let them suffer the consequences of supporting a joke team while we smile for supporting the most successful team in psl known as Kaizer Chiefs.
mqadin
posted: 12:54 pm
Lets support Nigeria guys and make sure they win coz the cup will stay in hillbrow or Point road,thats whew Nigerians live
X ungasolveki
posted: 12:56 pm
Pierats spent 34 years (1937-1971) without a silverware. Mxm joke team.

K4L : let's hear
@eeemzaa dats not true those stats start frm 1970 till now , before that there was no professional league in S.A
Ebimocliff
posted: 05:08 pm
since our south african brothers have now realised that insulting nigerians is redundant and a waste of time they now flood kickoffnigeria with comments about their psl rivalries.................... guys, please move over to your site and insult each other there and leave us in peace, abeg!
stanslinks
posted: 06:10 pm
When Eagles and the Super Eagles play.......what do u think would happen.
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