According to the Football411.com website , since early January the northern part of Mali is involved in a war with Islamic extremists, the French army joined the Mali government to combat the rebels. The Mali players participating at the AFCON have said they are competing at the tournament to give their countrymen hope.
Mali captain Seydou Keita stated that he would even pay his team-mates amidst a lack of finances.
Igesund believes that the West Africa country needs their players to be victorious to give them a sense of pride during their time of conflict
"For players burdened by the thought that their country is threatened by civil war, it would be hailed worldwide as a dramatic sentimental triumph," said Igesund.
"And ... I am impressed by the thoughtful, calculated style of soccer employed in the team by French coach Patrice Carteron, something I learnt from bitter experience in our nail-biting defeat," he said of the quarter-final clash against the Eagles who beat Bafana in a penalty shoot-out.
The scores were level after 120 minutes, Tokelo Rantie scored for the hosts while Keita equalised for Mali, who won 3-1 via the shoot-out.
They take on Nigeria at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, kickoff is at 17:00.