“We Know Each Other Very Well,” Senegal Coach Ahead of Mali U-20 Finals

Coach Youssoupha Darbo says Mali and Senegal are no strangers to each other ahead of their afternoon Africa U-20 final meeting today.

In what promises to be a thrilling all West African derby, Senegal beat South Africa to reach this stage while Mali overcame Nigeria on penalties.

Today’s meeting will be the fourth time Senegal is meeting Mali in the past four seasons.

The Cub Lions are tipped as favourites to snatch the Total Africa U-20 Cup of Nations today giving they breezed past Mali 2-0 in the group stages.

And hours from the tie, Dabo expects it to be a tough outing.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “The motivation will be to work well as usual. We will repeat what we do in training. Show that we are not in the final by chance.”   [/perfectpullquote]

“I know Mali very well, it will be the fourth time that we will meet in 4 years. We know each other very well. The control of emotions will be the key to the game by what will happen.”

“Mali lost their first match, after it depends on your analysis of the Malian team. If for you, Mali is on a rising slope and we on a downward slope, we will see about it (today). We did not have to play 120 minutes to eliminate South Africa. All our games were played in 90 minutes,” he said.