CÔTE d’IVOIRE striker Salomon Kalou remains an injury doubt for tonight’s African Cup of Nations semi-final against Mali, coach Francois Zahoui said yesterday.
Kalou has battled a hamstring injury throughout the tournament and faces a fitness test hours before the game in Libreville.
“We are concerned about him but he is showing signs of recovery. We’ll see before the game but we hope to be able to play him because he is a major player in the team,” added Zahoui
“We are praying he will make it, the doctors are doing their best to get him fit.”
Zahoui said his team were approaching the match with “serenity and humility”, despite being overwhelming favourites.
“It’s a difficult thing to be the favourites and when you play against a team who really have nothing to lose,” he added.
“We had the same situation in the quarter-final against Equatorial Guinea and came close to disaster. We were too anxious in the first half of that game and it was only after we discussed it at half-time that the players were more composed.
“We know that Mali will play with great heart and all these predictions of the journalists mean nothing. Our objective remains to finish the tournament as the best in Africa and if we remain focused and determined then we can beat them.”
Ghana will have to overcome some tired legs to beat tricky opponent Zambia in today’s other semi-final. Bidding to make their second straight continental final, Ghana needed a goal from Andre Ayew in the 101st minute to beat Tunisia 2-1 in extra-time in Sunday’s quarter-final clash.
A delay in the flight from Gabon to Equatorial Guinea then hampered plans for training on Monday.
Tonight (both live on Eurosport)
Zambia v Ghana
Estadio de Bata, Bata 4pm
Mali v Côte d’Ivoire
Stade d’Angondjé, Libreville 7pm
Players from English clubs
Zambia – None.
Ghana – John Paintsil (Leicester).
Mali – None.
Côte d’Ivoire – Kolo Touré, Yaya Touré (Manchester City); Salomon Kalou, Didier Drogba (Chelsea); Cheick Tioté (Newcastle); Gervinho (Arsenal); Sol Bamba (Leicester).
