their opening Group B game.
Incidentally, the Nigerians are not the only ones with vengeance and a hope for victory in mind. The two finalists, Ghana and Egypt, also clashed in their opening game with the North Africas winning the game 2-1.
Although the four teams have qualified for the U-20 World Cup holding in Turkey, the hunt for laurels at the AYC is still paramount on their agenda.
Six-time champions, Nigeria, failed to defend the title they won in South Africa in 2011 after crashing 2-0 to Egypt in the semi-finals. Mali, on the other hand, succumbed to Ghana 4-2 on penalties in the other game.
Nigeria coach John Obuh has admitted that the team failed when it mattered most, but he is not ready to leave the stage without a fight.
He said, “The only way to make up for the disappointment of surrendering the title is to finish with a win against Mali.”
The Malians know what is at stake and understand they will be facing a more determined Nigerian side in the third-place match.
Malian striker Mahamane Cisse told cafonline.com that after the disappointment of missing out on the final, the Eaglets are now focusing on finishing third.
He said, “We want to be on the podium, and by finishing third we will bring honour to our country.
“Against Nigeria on Friday we will play a different game plan from the first time we met but the goal will be the same, to beat them again. I am aware that we are up against a very good side, with speed and able to create scoring chances as we saw in the first match. Saying all this, we will be ready for Nigeria and l hope it will be a good and exciting match.”
