Mali face Cote d'Ivoire on Wednesday for a place in the finals and Giresse hopes the ace can spur them through.
“Seydou Keita is not only very influential in my group, he’s the reference point of the team,” Alain Giresse said. “He inspires all the players, especially the newcomers. He motivates them, he boosts their confidence, and we are very glad to have him back in the outfit after he left in the wake of the Angola 2010 debacle.”
The French-born manager also said he was happy for Keita’s solemn call for peace in Mali following renewed clashes between the loyal army and the Toureg rebels in the northern region of the west African country.
“Football plays a very important social role in many societies. It brings people together. It creates audience for everyone. So, I can say that Seydou Keita did the right thing to call for peace using the sport medium, because both sides in the conflict will surely listen to a footballer’s talk. I support his message and his intention, like many Malians did.”