Eric Chelle, Mali’s Head Coach after their 2-0 win said,” I respect The Gambia, it’s a dangerous team even if we could not win on Fiday. I studied them closely and it’s a team that plays with a specific tactic.”
In a post-match interview, Chelle said the way to break the Gambia team down is to score an early goal or a goal in the first half.
“I told this to my players and we worked on it in training. If you score against The Gambia early, it gives them a lot of problems because they like to defend deep and surprise you in the final 20 minutes of the game. So an early goal unbalances them and their game plan. My game plan worked and after the first goal I was not worried anymore as we were in total control,” he said.
Mali is another team on a 100% record after their 2-0 win over Gambia took them to nine points. The victory at home was another crucial step to qualification, and just like Algeria, they can earn a ticket with a draw in the next match away to the Gambians on Tuesday.
Back-to-back losses have left the Gambia fighting for their lives as they are third on three points.
South Sudan can dare dream of a first-ever qualification after their shock 2-1 victory over Congo took them to the second spot, above Gambia on goal difference.
Having won away and playing at home this week, the South Sudanese can elevate their dreams with a victory over the Congolese on Monday.
