Bafana Bafana will face the Eagles of Mali on Saturday evening in their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations last eight encounter, the Malians who finished third at the 2012 tournament drew their final Group B game against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Durban on Monday, 28 January 2013.

As a result they set up a quarter final clash with Bafana Bafana at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in the evening Saturday, 2 February 2013, Mali needed a draw against the Congolese to book their place in the knockout stages for a 6th time and despite conceding a penalty which was converted by 2012 Belgium player of the year Diumerici Mbokani in the third minute of the game.

They were able to get the point they needed as Mahmadou Samassa scored in the 14th minute to draw them level; with Ghana defeating Niger 3-0 in the other Group B game a draw was enough to see them through to the quarterfinal, the Black Stars will face the Cape Verdeans also on Saturday.

Revenge of sorts will be on Bafana Bafana’s minds as their only previous meeting against the Malians came ironically at the quarterfinal stage of the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations when the Malians hosted the event.

On 2 February 2002 in Kayes Mali eliminated South Africa defeating them 2-0, strangely enough the clash at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday will be on February 2 almost 11 years to the day when the Malians inflicted that loss on Bafana Bafana.

While no Chiefs players featured in the defeat to the Malians in 2002 Amakhosi keeper Itumeleng Khune who was the man of the match during Bafana Bafana’s draw against Morocco on Sunday, will be in goal and will look to keep the dangerous Seydou Keita as well as Samassa and the enterprising duo od Modibo Maiga and Cheick Diabite at bay.

Other Chiefs players who should feature against the Malians are defender Tsepo Masilela while Bafana looked vulnerable in the middle of their defense Masilela did well to stop the Moroccans down the wings and with Mali strong on the flanks he will look to put in another workman like performance on Saturday.

Bernard Parker who has started all of South Africa’s games so far will be hoping to start for a fourth successive game and will be up against a very physical defence who have thus far not let in a goal in open play.