Defensive carnage rescued by resiliency personified would just about sum up Malis opening result in this years African Cup of Nations. Rescuing a four goal deficit with 11 minutes remaining against Angola may not have been part of coach, Stephen Keshis, Billy Turner Jersey pre-match prep talk, but at least he knows his team contain a character and ability to go for the jugular when blood is smelt.Kanoute celebrates comebackThe same may not be said of Algeria coach, Rabah Saadane. The former Yemen manager could only look on as he watched his side lie down like the proverbial, lambs to the slaughter, against supposed group featherweights, Malawi. Even the most gullible of supporters would have struggled to digest the Bandas 3-0 humiliation of the Desert Foxes.This leaves Thursdays meeting of the two on a knife-edge. Separated by a point, the Eagles will view this as an opportunity to send the Algerians home early. Saadanes men may have started the tournament as group favourites, but by the time this game kicks-off in Luanda not one of Africas representatives in South Africa will have registered a victory in CAF 2010. A surprising fact Lucas Patrick Jersey considering only Ghana have still to open their campaign, yet one that adds fuel to an argument that the continents elite suffer from motivational i sues in a World Cup year.Another factor which could support the Malian cause is the return to form of Seydou Keita. The Barcelona man sat out all of Malis build-up matches and was deemed not fit enough to start against Angola. His 35th minute introduction may not have sparked an immediate switch in the momentum of the game, but Keita can claim to be the catalyst that helped snatch such an unlikely draw.Keita is back in busine sKeshi may well subscribe to this theory; however, his more pre sing concern will lie in plugging a leaking defence that was cohesion-free on Sunday. Angolas Flavio and Gilberto cut Mali to shreds in the opening period, while unnece sary challenges from Mamadou Bagayoko and Keita led to the conce sion of Jaire Alexander Jersey two soft penalties.Step one of the remedy could see the return of Mohamed Si soko. The Juventus man could sit just in front of the back four, alongside Mahamadou Diarra in a bid to thwart the attacking threat of Karim Ziani. However, Keshi may also opt to keep Kevin King Jersey faith with the same backline that began against the Black Antelopes with orders to apply higher levels of focus and concentration.Algeria may be in the firing line, but the Eagles must be aware of a backlash. Despite the embarra sing defeat to Malawi, the Desert Foxes still contain a lot of quality in Madjid Bougherra and Ziani, plus they have the experience of emerging from the recent infamous double-header with Egypt. Saadane will rigorously remind his players that the World Cup doesnt start till June and they have a duty to perform for an expectant nation.Si soko return?With the opening games in the group providing such shocks and drama, the battle for qualification is wide open. Angola will be desperate to see off Malawi in the evening kick-off, which makes an Algerian victory over Mali imperative for their hopes. However, the Eagles will have taken huge confidence from their first game and view anything other than defeat a step towards the knockout phase. The Desert Foxes are vulnerable right now; expect Keshis men to twist the Oren Burks Jersey knife.Prediction: Mali 2 Algeria 1
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