The Nigeria manager Stephen Keshi has moved quite quickly and strongly to quell any feelings that Nigerians might have that this team will be complacent against Mali in the AFCON 2013 semi-final on Wednesday.
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'' There is absolutely no way we can even begin to think we are favourites going into the match. I worked with Mali team for two years and 85% of the players there now I worked with and know very well so there is no chance of us taking them lightly. How can we? This is their second consecutive semi-final ''.
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At the press conference with him was captain Joseph Yobo who also said '' This is the semi-final so there can be no underdogs or favourites, every team at this stage know they have only 90 minutes plus and they wil be in the final ''.
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Later the team trained inside the stadium for the semi-final match. All the players were present in the few times the media were allowed to watch.