Coach Nouhoum Diane of Mali during the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations Tournament. Between Mali v Nigeria in Cape Coast, Ghana on 14 September 2017 ©Christian Thompson/ BackpagePix

Mali coach, Nouhoum Diane, says he is banking on the hosts of the 2017 Union WAFU Cup of Nations, Ghana, to do them a favour by defeating Nigeria in their last Group A game on Monday in order for them to stand a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.

The Malians are on one point and must beat Guinea in their last Group A and also hope that the home-based Super Eagles, currently on two points, lose to Ghana who are already in the last four.

Speaking ahead of today’s (Monday) Group A matchday-3 games, Diane says all hope is not lost for Mali.

“We came into this competition with a mission to go into the final, but things have not been smooth,” Diane told Wafucup.com.

“But we are still in the competition. Not all is lost.