Africa Cup of Nations 2012 - Botswana v Mali

TEAM NEWS

Botswana coach Stanely Tshosane is expected to make wholesale changes after the 6-1 thrashing by Guinea.

One man who will certainly be replaced is Patrick Motsepe, who was sent off against the Syli Nationale. Mali, meanwhile, are fully fit but will miss Samba Diakite, who is suspended.

Coach Alain Giresse also has three other players on a caution: Seydou Keita, Bakaye Traore and Adama Tamboura.

MATCH PREVIEW

The group is on a knife edge with all four teams capable of progression, but Mali's chances of reaching the quarter-finals are a whole lot more realistic than Botswana's.

With the Confederation of African Football deciding group positions on a head-to-head record, the Zebras must beat Botswana and hope Guinea lose to Ghana - with plenty of goals scored in the process - if they are to progress.

Mali, meanwhile, have to better Guinea's result against the Black Stars if they are to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in eight years.

"Our approach to this match is much simpler to work out than going into the matches against Guinea and Ghana - and I hope we'll do what we have to do," Mali captain Cedric Kante told BBC Sport.

Meanwhile, Botswana will be keen to restore some battered pride following their record-equalling 6-1 defeat to Guinea.

"After the defeat against Guinea, we made sure we had a meeting first to share among ourselves what was the common problem," said Zebras coach Tshosane. "We felt the most important thing was to motivate each other and have a common idea - I'm quite sure the guys are ready."

After scoring their first ever Nations Cup goal through captain Dipsy Selolwane, the debutants now go in search of their first point at the finals.

Table

Group D