Giresse identifies shortfall in Ghana defeat

Mali coach Alain Giresse has taken responsibility for Saturday's defeat to Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

The Eagles fell by a solitary Asamoah Gyan 21st minute header, leaving them with just a point ahead of their last group fixture against Uganda on Wednesday.

"Every coach is responsible for his team's results," Giresse said.

"The defeat today is my fault and I take full responsibility. 

"My players don't have a confidence problem, but most of them lack experience. 

"Today, it was easy to produce a very young team, but that was to be a risk against a team like Ghana. I know they will get the needed experience with time."

To have any chance of reaching the quarter-finals, Mali must beat Uganda on Wednesday and hope that second-placed Egypt falls heavily against Ghana.

"We had many chances to score in the second half but we couldn't," Giresse added.

"It's not a matter of training because training differs from matches. 

"Ghana scored and that's what made the difference. My players should raise their heads high and think of the coming game."

Mali's best performance at the Afcon remains a second place finish at the 1972 edition in Cameroon.