AFCON U17 defending champions Cameroon kick off their title defence mission on Thursday when they take on Group C leaders, Mali at the 19 May 1956 Stadium in Annaba.South Sudan’s expulsion from the championship meant Group C was left with three teams. Cameroon had to wait for match day two to play their first match. Mali on the other hand played Burkina Faso and won by a solitary goal.##NAJAVA_MECA_7226375##Cameroon and Mali have met thrice at the championship. In 2015 Mali beat Cameroon 3-1 while in 2010 they met in the group and knock-out phase where Mali won 3-0 and 1-0 respectively.Cameroon coach Serge Mimpo says that starting the tournament on a positive note will be key for his side. He added that he is not under any pressure ahead of the match.“I don’t think I am under pressure. We are calmly preparing for this match while respecting Mali,” he told CAF portal.##EDITORS_CHOICE##“The situation will change a little. With four teams, it is different. We have however prepared calmly without thinking much about the change. We have to keep within our targets, which is to win all our games.”His Mali counterpart, Soumaïla Coulibaly is equally calm and highlights the importance of winning the opening match of the campaign. AFCON U17: Brave Somalia holds Congo“The first three points releases us from pressure. Now we go into this game with a relaxed mind to seek for qualification,” Coulibaly said.“We will try to win the game because it is a group of three and a win will assure us of a top spot. We are focused on that. We also came for the title. Even if they are the defending champions, we are also favourites as we have won the title twice too.”The match starts at 7 PM EAT.Flexible structures and individual brilliance: Ulinzi Stars’ winning formula against AFC Leopards
