Mali have been drawn in group D of the 2017 African Cup of Nations to be staged in Gabon next year alongside Ghana, Egypt and Uganda.

The group is rated as one of the toughest in the upcoming continental showpiece, but Giresse is hopeful his side will make it to the knockout stage.

“It’s a tough group, and we will not set a target but we will surely go through and go far if even it means to pick the Cup," he said.

"Others had Senegal and Algeria with one group also made up of Morocco and Ivory Coast, so we cannot say we are worst off.

“In view of the return of Uganda after 40 years, we can say that this is the Tom Thumb of the group, but given their performance during the playoffs is not a team that gives the impression of come and make up the numbers in Gabon.”