Mali would be playing in front of a partisan home crowd rallying them on when they line up against Ghana in the qualifying for the World and African Nations Cup in 2010.
Milovan Rajevac, who is without a string of key players - Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah, Derek Boateng, Asamoah Gyan and Laryea Kingston – is not short in confidence.
But he says the pressure would rather be on the home team during Sunday’s clash in Bamako.
The Serbian accepts squad will face a tough test against Mali as Ghana look to record their second win in group D after opening the campaign with a home win.
“It is a big, big match but we are under no pressure. The pressure is rather on Mali.” Rajevac told www.ghanafa.org in an exclusive interview.
“Playing at home in such big games is always not easy and there will be lots of pressure on Mali but we are in control and we will be composed,” the Black Stars coach added.
Mali would be at full strength and would be hoping to claim all the spoils in this crucial game. But Rajevac is not treating the match as the most essential in the qualifiers for Ghana.
“We are left with five matches and every match is very crucial. It is not just about Mali.
“Every match is important and the crucial match is always your immediate match. For now our next match is Mali so we are concentrating on that. It is step by step.”
Mali are yet to win after drawing their opening game with Sudan but Rajevac rates them highly after watching key members of Stephen Keshi’s side during his scouting mission ahead of the game.
“Mali is a good team with a lot of good players playing for big European teams,” he said.
“Kanoute for instance is a dangerous player – he is in exceptional form with Seville. He is very difficult to stop; very dangerous inside and outside the box. He is tall, intelligent and has good technique.
“I also watched Coulibaly who plays for Auxerre; he is also a very good player.
“But we also have very good players who can stop them and I am confident.”
The Black Stars go into the game against Mali sitting at the summit of the standings in group D with three points.
In the other match in this group, Benin host Sudan.