Mali coach Tom Saintfiet plays down Yves Bissouma start ahead of Morocco clash – Ghana Latest Football News, Live Scores, Results

Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet has refused to verify whether or not captain Yves Bissouma will characteristic in Friday’s Group A conflict towards hosts Morocco on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder missed Mali’s opening match towards Zambia because of harm, however his presence alongside Saintfiet on the pre-match press convention in Rabat has fuelled hypothesis over a doable return. The Belgian coach, nevertheless, was cautious to handle expectations.

“The rationale Yves is right here at present isn’t as a result of he’ll essentially play tomorrow,” Saintfiet defined. “There isn’t any hyperlink between who sits subsequent to me and who begins the match. Perhaps he performs, perhaps he doesn’t.”

Bissouma, for his half, appeared relaxed and targeted, making it clear that particular person issues are secondary when representing his nation. “What issues to me at present is Mali,” he mentioned. “I’m right here and totally targeted on tomorrow’s match. The remainder doesn’t concern me.”

The response mirrored the calm authority of a captain whose affect extends past the pitch. Even with out sport time, Bissouma stays a key determine inside the Malian camp, significantly for a younger squad getting ready to face one of many match favourites.

“As captain, I attempt to deliver a optimistic spirit to the group,” he added. “Everybody can encourage the group in their very own manner.”