After eliminating co-hosts Gabon on penalties, Mali face an uphill task against tournament favourites Ivory Coast, with the Elephants yet to concede a goal at the final tournament.

Boasting several high-profile players, Mali arrived to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea as one of the dark horses and Alain Giresse’s side somehow managed to reach the semi-finals.

The Eagles were far from impressive in the group stage, but managed to come from a goal behind to beat Botswana and secure their place in the next phase.

Mali were then outplayed by hosts Gabon, but once again scored a late goal to take the match into extra time and went on to win the tie on penalties, to the dismal of the home fans.

It is, therefore, fair to say that the Eagles have done little to show they deserve to be where they are at the moment, so odds of 1.50 (1/2) offered by Ladbrokes on away win look too good to pass.

Coach Giresse has no fresh injury worries, but he is expected to make some changes after the difficult game against Gabon.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): So. Diakite – D. Diakite, Berthe, Kante, Tamboura – B. Traore, Sa. Diakite – A. Traore, S. Keita, Maiga – Diabate.

Ivory Coast have long been regarded as the best national team in Africa, but the Elephants would always find a way to disappoint their fans in the past.

They arrived to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea with a star-studded line up, but many pundits doubted their title credentials taking into account their past displays at final tournaments.

Nevertheless, the Elephants not only won their first four games at the tournament, but they kept a clean sheet in every one of those games and are now 1.73 (8/11) with 888sport to continue the magnificent run.

Ivory Coast eased off to a 3-0 victory over co-hosts Equatorial Guinea in the quarter-finals, and they are now hot favourites to beat Mali, the side that played full 120 minutes against Gabon.

Boss Francois Zahoui has no fresh injury worries, but several players should return after they were rested against Equatorial Guinea.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Barry – Lolo, K. Toure, Bamba, Boka – Y. Toure, Tiote, Gosso – Gervinho, Drogba, Kalou.