Coach Giresse agrees to coach Mali deal

Former French midfielder Giresse has been confirmed as Mali's new coach

The former French midfielder Alain Giresse has been confirmed as the new coach for Mali.

The ex-Bordeaux midfielder and former Gabon boss was in Bamako last week to discuss terms for the job but left without putting pen to paper.

After the trip, Giresse said everything was moving forward normally but that he wanted to take his time to make the decision.

He will replace Nigerian Stephen Keshi who was sacked after the last Africa cup of Nations in Angola last January.

Giresse himself took Gabon to the same tournament but was dismissed after they failed to impress.

The coach says his new charges can make an impact within African football.

"Mali has got potential, [they] have got all the elements that should allow them to get results - on the continental level, Mali is known as one of the teams that really stands out."

Giresse was a member of France's 1982 World Cup squad, and had been touted recently in the media as a candidate to replace France coach Raymond Domenech after the World Cup.

He will now be saddled with rebuilding the Malian team after the retirement of one of its key players, Frederic Kanoute.