Mali Coach: We Are Ready For This Rematch

Despite the 0 - 2 loss to the Golden Eaglets a fortnight ago, the coach of the Mali Under 17 squad, Issa Coulibaly, has boasted that the team will qualify for the CAN Under 17 championship, billed to be staged in Morocco from April 13 - 27 next year.

The Aiglonnets, as the Under 17 selection is called, claimed they lost the first leg due to fatigue. The referee started the game 13 hours after they arrived Calabar, South - East Nigeria. The previous day, the squad traveled more than six hours by road from Lagos to Calabar.

''We were equal to the Nigerians. Both goals were scored against the run of play I do not hide the bad conditions of the last trip to explain the defeat, but I think of the way the team played.Officials were with us. They saw the conditions of reception, accommodation and catering of the team. But we must forget about it and focus on the return leg. That's what is important to us.

''We prepared very well. I think the game is playable here. We are in Kabala, we train regularly, I am confident. Young people are too. We are ready for this rematch. We will do everything to qualify and join the juniors and senior,''  Issa Coulibaly told Malian newspaper L'Essor.

Mali skipper Mamadou Zerbo will be unavailable for selection due to suspension. There are no injury worries in the Golden Eaglets squad, so they will be aiming to emulate the Under 20 and Senior National Teams by qualifying for the Under 17 championship.