Mali and Guinean Under-23 national teams will battle it out in the play-off of the TotalEnergies U23 Africa Cup of Nations at the Ibn Batouta Stadium as both teams are fighting for the third slot at the Paris Olympics 2024.
The winner of the match between the two teams will qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, while the loser may have a chance to earn a spot in the games by defeating a team from Asia at a later date.
Kick off time for an all-West African affair is at 17:00hrs at the Grande Stade de Tanger in Tangier city northwestern of Morocco.
However, speaking to the media ahead of the match, Guinea head coach Morlaye Cisse anticipates a tough match.
Both teams are talented and play similar styles of football, but Cisse predicted that the winning team will be the one with greater mental toughness.
However, the manager of Guinea is optimistic that if his squad takes advantage of its opportunities and focuses on the game, a win would be assured.
“We need to be very technical, athletic and focused to achieve our ultimate goal of Olympic qualification,” noted Cisse.
Guinea’s Camara hopeful of victory over Mali
Aguibou Camara, a midfielder for Guinea, thinks the team has the ability to play against a tough foe in the interim.
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The midfielder stressed, “It will be a difficult game, but our aim is to qualify for the Olympics, which takes hard work.
