Bafana's tall Mali task

Bafana Bafana have their work cut out to beat a classy Mali in tomorrow's Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Mali go into the game with the conflict in their country at the back of their minds. The national team have said they wish to succeed in this tournament to give good news to their countrymen, so, like Bafana on their nation-building mission, they have all to play for.

Certainly Les Aigles (the Eagles) should be the favourites. Mali are ranked No3 in Africa and 25th in the world. The West Africans were third-placed finishers in the last Afcon a year ago in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

South Africa's low world ranking of 85th has become something of a moot point in this competition.

Their achievement of reaching the quarters with a tough 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, an impressive 2-0 win against Angola and a fighting 2-2 draw against Morocco, has far outperformed their ranking.

Under the strong leadership of coach Gordon Igesund, Southern Africa's underachievers of the past 10 years have found their tournament confidence again.

Igesund has put together a competitive, bonded squad, and it is lifted by the superb support they have received at Moses Mabhida.

Tomorrow's quarterfinal will be their first since losing 2-0 to then-hosts Mali in 2002, the only previous meeting between the two teams.

Bafana have shown several frailties in the tournament.

After creating barely any scoring chances in their opener, Igesund employed an ultra-attacking line-up and four goals have flowed since, but the forward-minded imbalance of the team was often exposed by Morocco.

A shaky central defence of Siyabonga Sangweni and Bongani Khumalo has not helped.

But confidence and a growing fighting spirit have been provided by the way the South Africans managed to hang on against the Atlas Lions, and fight back through two stunning goals.

Right wing Thuso Phala said yesterday the draw against a determined Morocco gave Bafana the workout they needed for the knockout stages.

"It's always an advantage coming from a difficult game to the knockout stages," he said.

"It's also boosted the confidence. We're feeling really good and looking forward to Saturday's [tomorrow's] game," Phala said.

Igesund has also had the benefit of four days' training sessions to iron out some of the kinks.

The coach has some tough decisions to make. Lehlohonolo Majoro was impressive and scored coming off the bench against Angola and has returned from injury, but does the Bafana coach want to tamper with his forward line?

Does he introduce another defensive midfielder alongside Dean Furman, who was targeted by Morocco, to counter Mali's two playmakers, Samba Sow and Seydou Keita?

Queens Park Rangers right wing Samba Diakite and lone striker Mamadou Samassa can also be a handful. Unless they alter their game plan radically, Mali will not come at Bafana at 1000km/h, as Morocco did.

But their languid build-ups and suppressing game could be as difficult to play against.

Igesund has said he will have a game plan for the tall Malians. This is set to revolve around utilising the pace and skill of runners such as Tokelo Rantie, Thulani Serero, Lerato Chabangu, Katlego Mphela and Majoro to get behind the Eagles and put them under pressure.

If Bafana can also improve at the back, then, buoyed by their home support, the hosts will certainly have a chance of reaching their first semifinal since 2000.