AFCON 2017: Mali coach Alain Giresse unfazed by heavyweights in group D

Mali coach Alain Giresse remains defiant about his side's chances in next year's Africa Cup of Nations despite drawing heavyweights.

The Eagles will face fellow West Africans Ghana as well as Egypt and Uganda in group D.

They will begin their journey with a tricky game against seven-time African champions Egypt but coach Alain Giresse is confident his team will reach the group stage of the competition.

'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," Giresse told Footmali.

"Others had Senegal and Algeria, with one group also made up of Morocco and Cote d'Ivoire, so we cannot say we are worst off.

'In view of the return of Uganda after [39] years, we can say that [they are] the Tom Thumb of the group.

"But given their performance during the playoffs, they are not a team that give the impression of coming to make up the numbers in Gabon."

Mali, who won bronze at the 2012 and 2013 editions, will open their campaign against Egypt on January 17 in Port-Gentil.