TNT Sports
Tunisia next for Senegal
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Published 02/02/2004 at 18:25 GMT
Coach Guy Stephan put a brave face on the missed chances that left Senegal with a 1-1 draw against Mali on Monday and a tough African Nations Cup quarter-final against host nation Tunisia. Victory would have earned the World Cup quarter-finalists top slot in Group B, instead of second place behind Mali
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"The important thing is that we've qualified for the quarter-finals," Stephan told a news conference at the El Menzah stadium.
"The aim was to win and we didn't manage it...we had a few things which went against us.
"But when we were trailing, we were able to get level and I think we would have deserved to win if we'd taken the three chances we had in the second half...the woodwork decided otherwise."
Senegal, who will meet Roger Lemerre's Tunisia at Rades, came closest when former African Footballer of the Year El Hadji Diouf struck the post with the Mali keeper stranded.
MALI RESTED AND READY
Opposing coach Henri Stambouli is bracing himself for a mild dose of heartache when his Mali side take on his former team Guinea at the El Menzah.
Stambouli, who rested three-goal striker Frederic Kanoute, said: "It's a great satisfaction to finish unbeaten, top of our group and to have avoided Tunisia. We've worked very hard to get there.
"On top of that, we'll be at full strength -- with no (red) cards and no particular injuries.
"I know Guinea well because I used to be their coach and I brought in quite a few of their players. It'll mean a tweak of the heart strings to be facing them."
As for Monday's game, Stambouli said: "I'm happy that we've got a draw against the World Cup quarter-finalists, it's a big achievement for the players."
Stambouli promised an engrossing derby on Saturday between the west African neighbours, while Kanoute said: "We can't wait."
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