Mali national team captain Hamari Traore is confident his side will overturn a shock 1-0 defeat they suffered to Tunisia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The African third-round first-leg defeat on Friday makes the return leg at Stade Olympique de Rades a must-win for the Eagles to make their maiden World Cup appearance.
Traore, who turns for French Ligue 1 outfit Stade Rennes, said they will do what it takes to make sure they overturn the scoreline.
“We are disappointed with the result but it’s only the first leg,” said captain Hamari Traoré, who missed the first-leg due to suspension, told CAFOnline.
“The players got their jerseys wet, we weren’t able to take advantage of our opportunities.
“I’m going to take this opportunity to congratulate the public who came out en masse, it’s just a false start and I hope the public will continue to support us.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”We have the means and the will to do it, to succeed in this historic qualification.”[/perfectpullquote]
His sentiments were echoed by defender Kiki Kouyaté who expressed desire of his team-mates and himself to rectify this misstep in the first leg.
“We must continue to believe in it,” Kaouyate insisted.
Traore will be returning to Mali squad in a good form as he has provided six assists and scored once in 21 Ligue 1 games this campaign.
He will be expected to marshal the troops who fell by a Moussa Sissak’s unfortunate own goal as his back pass beat goalkeeper Ibrahim Mounkoro .
