Coulibaly has a point to prove Soumaila Coulibaly's performances so far in the Cup of Nations are a sign that perhaps he is feeling the pressure of leading the host nation. The 23 year old Freiburg midfielder has been substituted on each occasion Mali have played so far and admits he has not played well.
Coulibaly has a point to prove

"I am not happy with my own form, but tomorrow in the third game I'm very much looking forward to showing what I can do."

"In the first game the players had too much pressure, while in the second game the players played very well, but as far I'm concerned Nigeria are the best team in Africa."

"There is no more pressure on us for the third game with Algeria and it is a game we very much want to win."

Mali grabbed a late equaliser in the tournament's opening game against Liberia, and in their second Group A game the hosts drew 0-0 with group favourites Nigeria. A win against Algeria would guarantee their quarter-final ticket.

Coulibaly has now been two years at Freiburg and is happy with the way he has settled in at the Bundesliga club.

"Lifw at Freiburg is very good. I think I've been playing quite well. We've
been in the UEFA Cup and I think all the teams were scared of us, as well as the big Bundesliga teams like Bayern Munich.

On the club versus country row he is very clear. "I am a national team
player and when they call me, then I will come. I'm not worried about having to re-establish myself because I know that I can get my place back in the team."

"I can't say anything about the future because football is like life, if I
play well then another, big club will come in for me and we will take it from there."

As for Mali, Coulibaly is coy about their chances but he has been watching other teams and is diplomatic about what he has seen.

"I have seen some good teams so far." He'll hope that on Monday night he is not including Algeria amongst those teams