Sunday, June 07, 2009

Ghana - Mali WCQ: Mind games begin (2)

Mali head coach Stephen Keshi says his disappointment in securing the Black Stars job a year-ago has been his inspiration to beat Ghana in today's 2010 combined Nations Cup/World Cup qualifier at home.

Keshi claims his application for the job after the exit of Frenchman Claude Le Roy last March was treated with scorn by the Ghana FA.

"It is being rumoured that they played below their capacity, yet they are top the table," said the Nigeria-born coach.

"Let everyone else be fooled by the performance of the Black Stars but count me out, I won't fall for this.

"I know the quality of the Ghanaian side and I will not allow a single performance to distort the reality about their strength."

The Ex-Nigeria defender masterminded Togo's qualification to the 2006 World Cup but was not sacked before the finals in Germany.

The 47-year-old took charge of the Eagles last year and has expressed his determination to repeat the feat chalked with Togo.

Mali are second in Group D, two points behind leaders Ghana.
_____