AWCON 2018: We won't underestimate Mali- South Africa coach Desiree Ellis

Head coach of the Bayana Bayana of South Africa has reiterated that her side won't underestimate Mali in the semifinals of the Africa Women's Cup of Nations on Tuesday.

South Africa, who finished top of group B will take on surprise package Mali in the second semi finals of the competition with a place in the final as well as a ticket to the World Cup at stake.

Mali surprisingly ousted host Ghana to make out out of the group for the first time at the biennial tournament.

"We always knew that Zambia was going to be a difficult match. We know a lot about each other. I think they know a little bit more about us because we have been playing so many times. A similar style of football and more importantly they were also in for the three points. We didn't the maximum points but we got the desired result," Ellis recounts ahead of the Mali clash.

"Our performance will need a lot of improvement. We put that game behind us and now focus on the next games. The semi-finals against Mali is an all final and our thoughts are going to be the same. We are not underestimating any team," she added.

"They (Mali) are not as mean. They kicked out of the hosts Ghana who are a competitive side and that tells a lot about their quality."

"We have to analyze them really well and the most important thing is that we stick to our plan. We have to perform same way we did against Nigeria to realize our goal and that's to qualify for the World Cup."

"Each and every player was on top of the game from the beginning to the end. It is going to take that type of performance and make sure we don't underrate the Malians."