Angola v Mali: Vasiljevic happy just to be in the hunt

Ismailia, July 2: Srdjan Vasiljevic has not ruled out Angola's progression to the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations but insists qualification for the tournament was the main goal.

Angola missed out in 2015 and 2017 but made the cut with the extended format this time around.

Vasiljevic's men have drawn their two Group E games so far – against Tunisia and Mauritania – but head into Tuesday's clash with Mali within a win of putting themselves through.

However, Vasiljevic believes his side must be proud of simply making it to the finals, as they look to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

"I reiterate that our initial goal has already been achieved from the time we qualified for this championship," he told a news conference.

"Let's play our game with dedication and determination, and if the opponent lets us play, let's do it, and look for the win that all the team seeks.

"The goal was to qualify the team for the Cup of Nations and then Qatar, so our work does not stop here."

Mali, meanwhile, sit top of the group with four points from their two matches, having hammered Mauritania 4-1 before drawing 1-1 with Tunisia on Friday (June 28).

A point would be enough to guarantee their place in the last 16, and despite his side conceding shortly after going ahead in their last outing, coach Mohamed Magassouba is satisfied with the position Mali find themselves in heading into the final group match.

"We would have felt better if we won but a draw is not a bad result," the coach told the media.

#TheEagles fly in the skies of Ismailia and prepare for the next confrontation and the goal is to resolve the top of Group E#TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/UHccNzMzzz

— CAF (@CAF_Online) July 1, 2019

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Angola – Wilson Eduardo

The Braga forward scored 12 league goals last season and having had to settle for a place on the bench against Mauritania, will be eager to open his account for the tournament against a Mali side that are likely to be more adventurous than Angola's previous opponents.

Mali - Moussa Marega

Marega's powerful display earned him the man-of-the-match award against Tunisia, and the Porto forward acts as an excellent focal point for Mali to build their attacks around.

KEY OPTA FACTS

- Angola are winless in their last seven games in the Africa Cup of Nations, their longest drought since January 1996 – January 2006 in their first eight encounters in the tournament.

- Six of Mali's last eight games in the AFCON have ended with the scores level.

- Mali have kept a clean sheet only once in their last 13 AFCON games.