War Torn Mali Pinning Their Hopes on Keita

Amid the backdrop of war in the north of the country Mali hope experienced campaigner Seydou Keita can lead them to the top bracket at the Africa Cup of Nations like he did last year.

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4 months ago

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SCRIPT: Mali is one of the teams tipped to go far in this year's Africa Cup of Nations. That's despite the build up to this year's tournament being overshadowed by armed conflict in the north of the country. New manager Patrice Carteron, who replaced fellow frenchman Alain Giresse last July, recognises that because of the violence the stakes are now higher than ever. SOUNDBITE 1 - Patrice Carteron, Mali coach (man, in French, 22 sec): "I feel (that) the players and the back-room staff want to fight to give a bit of happiness to people who have had to deal with a serious political situation and a war ravaging the north opf the country for several months now." [In French: "Je sens chez les joueurs et parmi mon staff des gens qui ont envie de se battre pour donner beaucoup de bonheur à des gens qui en sont sevrés depuis maintenant plusieurs mois avec un contexte politique très lourd et avec cette guerre au Nord qui ravage le pays. Chaque match de l'équipe nationale suscite beaucoup d'espoir, suscite beaucoup de joie."] The Eagles, as Mali's national team is known, finished third a year ago in the competition co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Captain Seydou Keita is now hoping that a good showing in South Africa will boost moral back home. SOUNDBITE 2: - Seydou Keita, Mali captain (man, in French, 12 sec) "We only know how to win and perhaps this (we a) match will bring us three points. Today, though, Mali is going through a tough time so it is about much more than getting three points." [In French: "On sait que gagner un match, c'est peut-être un match de football qui va nous rapporter trois points. Mais aujourd'hui où le Mali traverse un moment difficile c'est beaucoup plus que trois points."] Keita and the rest of the squad are unlikely to have many fans from Mali cheering them on in South Africa as travel is too costly for most supporters. And those who can't make the trip are keen to give the squad as big a send off as possible. SOUNDBITE 3 - Cheick Na Demba, vice président Mali supporter's association (man, in French, 21 sec): "Mali is ranked third in terms of quality so we want to say to the team, the coach and his assistant that we are ready to support the team in these difficult circumstances." ["Le Mali est 3ème pays en terme de qualité de jeu aujourd'hui donc c'est pour dire à notre équipe nationale et à Patrice Carteron et ses adjoints qu'on est prêt à soutenir l'équipe nationale dans les conditions les plus difficiles."] Mali open their campaign against Niger on Sunday with Democratic Republic of Congo and West African rivals Ghana making up the group. IMAGES: BAMAKO, MALI, 5-8 January, 2013 - VAR Mali training (5 Jan, 2013) - Patrice Carteron (5 Jan, 2013) SOUNDBITE 1 - VAR public training session (7 Jan, 2013) SOUNDBITE 2 - VAR public training (7 Jan, 2013) SOPUNDBITE 3 - VAR friendly match (8 Jan, 2013)