Keshi warns 2010 race is not over

Mali coach Stephen Keshi is banking on Sudan to derail Ghana's seemingly unstoppable march to the 2010 World Cup and claims his Mali team can still knock the Black Stars off top spot.

Mali, tipped as Ghana's biggest threat in Group D were blown away by the Black Stars in their meeting in Bamako in June and must now make up a five point deficit to make that prediction come through.

With Ghana due to host Sudan in three weeks time and Mali in September, the Black Stars are very confident they can get the four points that will see them reach another World Cup.

But Keshi, the ex-Nigeria international believes there is still hope and has told the BBC “it's not over yet.”

"The way Sudan played against us, they can go and give Ghana a tough game when they play them in a couple of weeks.

"Credit to Benin and Burkina Faso, they made it difficult for us. But we played very well, much better than we did against Sudan and Ghana, and I was proud of the players.

"Their attitude was great, it automatically buried the problems that have plagued our matches for some time and I still think the group could go down to our last game."

Keshi admits though that for that to happen, Mali must play above themselves. "We've got to win every game and realistically, we're probably going for second place.

"But after a turnaround in the mood and return of key players from injury, we can go to Benin and Ghana to fix our own destiny.”