Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund is confident that his side stands a good chance of progressing to the African Nations Champions quarterfinals despite being held to a one-all draw by Mali at Cape Town stadium last night. The hosts took the lead in the 25th minute when Bernard Parker scored his third goal of the tournament from the penalty spot after Lindokuhle Mbatha had been brought down inside the box. The Eagles of Mali equalized through a stunner from Ibourahima Sidibe in the 54th minute. Bafana remains on top on goal difference but will need a win or draw against Nigeria to qualify for the last eight….

Igesund says all the teams in this group mainly Bafana, Mali and Nigeria are feeling the pressure of qualifying for the last eight. He has praised the Malians as a solid team stopping short of calling them surprise packages of this tournament so far…

Bafana finished the game with three defensive midfielders and the situation did not help them when they desperately needed a late winner because they were only left with one tired striker in Parker. Igesund explains that his main intention was to neutralize the Malian midfield particularly Cheick Doumbia…

There were concerns about the match officiating with Cameroonian referee ML Souley Mohamadou failing to award a penalty against Bafana when Itumeleng Khune had brought down a Malian striker. He later gave away a penalty to SA when Mbatha looked to have been outside the box. However Malian coach Djibril Drame was diplomatic in his response on these decisions…

Mali and Bafana are tied on four points apiece with the hosts topping the group on goal difference. The Eagles of Mali have been the revelation of this tournament and Drame says given a chance CHAN will grow even bigger…Journalist: Velile Mbuli