Revenge Not On My Mind Against Gabon- Giresse

Mali coach, Alain Giresse rejected out of hand the notion that revenge had been his motivation in plotting Gabon’s demise in Sunday’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final.

The Frenchman managed Gabon at the last Nations Cup in 2010, only to be abruptly replaced afterwards by his former team-mate at Bordeaux, Gernot Rohr.

Giresse, speaking at the post match press conference after shaking Rohr’s hand, said: “Revenge? I don’t function like that, anyone who says I was motivated by revenge doesn’t know me.

“My only concern was preparing my Mali team, to help them achieve their objectives. My only pleasure is to see my team go through to the semi-finals.”

The Eagles denied the co-hosts a first ever semi-final ticket in a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory after 120 minutes of play had left the two sides locked together at 1-1.

Mali  will now face competition favourites Côte d’Ivoire in today’s semi-final back at Libreville’s L’Amitie Stadium.