AFCON 2015: Guinea captain Ibrahima Traore says they deserve quarter-final qualification

Guinea captain Ibrahima Traore insists they deserve qualification to the quarter-final of the Nations Cup despite being lucky with the drawing of lots.

The Syli Nationale were tied with Mali in Group D and the tournament organizer CAF had to resort to a special draw ceremony to determine who finished second in the pool.

Traore who has been player has been in top form at the tournament and it was his super strike which earned a 1-1 draw against Ivory Coast.

The Borussia Monchengladbach star says they merit qualification despite the luck of the draw.

“I think that our qualification is not just luck as we deserve it given our performances even if we suffered at times,” Traore said.

“I am very happy for the Guinean people after this qualification and also for us as players.

“Like us, Mali had a good campaign. Nobody were expecting to see them there with Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire in the group, but like us they were competitive and played a good football. So I would like to pay tribute to Mali and say that I am very sorry for them as they would have deserved to go through.”