NATIONAL TEAM - MALI - YATABARE BELIEVES MALI CAN WIN NATIONS CUP

AFRICA CUP 2015 AFRICA CUP 2015 QUALIFIERS

The Eagles have not won the tournament but were runners-up in 1972 and finished third in 2012 and 2013.

Yatabare, 25, told BBC Sport: "We have strong confidence in ourselves and if we play 100%, we can win it.

"The aim of all the teams going to this competition is to win. 

If you don't believe you can achieve that, then you must stay at home and not turn up."

Mali were beaten 3:2 by Congo in the final in Cameroon 42 years ago, and the current generation is eager to go one better in Equatorial Guinea.

MALI’S NATIONS CUP RECORD

1957 to 1963 - Did not enter
1965 to 1970 - Did not qualify
1972 - Runners-Up
1974 - Did not qualify
1976 - Did not qualify
1978 - Disqualified
1980 - Did not enter
1982 - Did not qualify
1984 - Did not qualify
1986 - Did not qualify
1988 - Withdrew
1990 - Did not qualify
1992 - Did not qualify
1994 - Fourth place
1996 - Did not qualify
1998 - Did not qualify
2000 - Did not qualify
2002 - Fourth place
2004 - Fourth place
2006 - Did not qualify
2008 - Round 1
2010 - Round 1
2012 - Third place
2013 - Third place

They have a blend of experience - with the likes of 34-year-old midfielder Seydou Keita, who will be playing at his seventh Nations Cup finals - and highly-rated young players.

And despite being drawn against Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Guinea, the Eagles are optimistic they will go far at the 17 January to 8 February competition.

"We are happy and at the same time we know we've been pitted in a tough group. 

Everybody knows it's important to qualify from this group, said Yatabare, who is in the squad alongside his older brother Mustapha.

"After that, we can take the fight to our next opponent. 

But that's why we play football as professionals and for our country, for a moment like this.

"Our mindset is that all the teams are difficult and any team can beat the other teams in the Africa Cup of Nations.

"We are going there as a formidable team to compete against the best and not to make up the numbers."

Yatabare, who rejected a chance to represent his country of birth France, has made 14 appearances for Mali and has scored one goal.

He joined French side Guingamp in August on a season-long loan from Greek Super League side Olympiakos.

He has also played for French clubs Monaco, Caen and SC Bastia.