According to coach, Elkebich, Mali cannot afford to exit the competition at the group stages and were ready for the task ahead.

“We came into the tournament with an ambition to win our first game and progress step by step, but it didn’t go as planned.

“We didn’t really do well in our first game against Cameroon, but we are poised to make amends, Ghana is a strong team and well composed, but we are equal to the task and ready to upset them,” he added.

Elkebich, noted that there was a problem with his defense but the team has worked on that to keep their dreams alive in the ongoing 11th biennial African Women Cup (AWCON) 2018.

“Our defence against Cameroon wasn’t good but we have corrected that and we ready to face Ghana and the realities in the tournament”.

Mali lost by 1:2 to Cameroon in their Group A opener after taking the lead and would be meeting Ghana on Tuesday, 20th November 2018 before taking on Algeria in their final Group A game at the Accra Sports Stadium.