January 29 – The respective coaches of Mali and Guinea have criticised the drawing of lots to decide which of them progresses in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The draw later today – the first since 1988 – will send one of them home and pitch the other into a quarter-final against Ghana on Sunday after they finished joint second with identical records in Group D behind group winners Ivory Coast and ahead of hotly fancied Cameroon.
“We have to solve the problems of qualification without a drawing of lots,” said Mali boss Henri Kasperczak. “You have to respect the rules, we have no choice. We are going to be nervous, Guinea also. We must find a more sporting way, fairer. This does not correspond to a sporting spirit.”
Guinea coach Michel Dussuyer added: “Mali do not deserve to be eliminated in this way, just as we do not. Mali didn’t lose a game – they played very well in the tournament. I would be disappointed, but it’s hard for any team. No-one deserves to be eliminated.”
Guinea winger Ibrahima Traore echoed those sentiments after the two sides drew 1-1 in their final group match. “It’s not fair for both teams – I don’t make the rules but we could do it on penalty kicks or extra time,” he said.
“The team who deserve to win would do it on the pitch. We and Mali will be really anxious because we don’t know if we go home or stay and it’s not up to us. It’s not a good situation.”
Lots were originally scheduled to be drawn, if required, at the post-match news conferences but it was announced during the first half of the final series of games that it had been moved.
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