Photo credit thenff
By Rasaq Oboirien
COACH Oumar Guindo says the Mali women's team can cause a scare against defending champions, Super Falcons and other teams Group B, reports NaijaSportsXtra.blogspot.com.
The Ladies Eagles will open their campaign against a star studded coach Florence Omagbemi team tomorrow (Sunday) in Limbe.
In spite of their fair preparations, Guindo hopes the African Women Cup of Nation (AWCON) in Cameroon will be a lucky one for the team, as they have not crossed the group stages in six attempts.
Guindo told a Cameroon based news wire," This year could be good as five out of the 21 players selected for the biannual women version of the AFCON, are foreign based professionals.
"Goalkeeper Goundo Samaké plays for AC Leopards in Congo while Aïchatou Diadhiou, Aminata Doucouré, Djeneba Baradji and Sebe Coulibaly, are all based in France."
Mali have played several friendly matches against the country's men's and women's clubs. It also played Two international friendly matches against Cameroon, lost one (0-1) and a draw the other (0-0).
In Bamako, the Ladies Eagles had only played against men's clubs.
"It is true that these matches against the men's clubs make it possible to put the team in place, but they do not allow us to judge our level before the African Cup, "said Guindo.
For Captain Aminata Sacko some how contradicts her coach.
Sacko is no new player to the women championship having played for her country in five editions, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010.
"It is true that our group has two big continent giants, but our team has continued to improve. We have quality in all areas, defense, middle, attack. In addition, a true solidarity. And I, the old ones, have to bring a plus to the team throughout the competition. Seriously we can do something in Cameroon ".
Meanwhile, "Mali's planned tour of Gabon, could not hold due to lack of enough funds," said the president of the Central Commission of Women's Football Federation, Ms. Traore Fatou Camara.
