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Abdoulay Diaby: 'Every game will be close in Africa Cup of Nations group'

Temperatures are expected to be over 30 degrees Celsius for Mali's opening game against debutants Mauritania.

Abdoulay Diaby believes Mali's group rivals at the Africa Cup of Nations are operating "at similar levels".

Mali, who finished third in the competition in 2012 and 2013 but have exited in the group stage in the two most recent editions, get their campaign under way against tournament debutantes Mauritania on Monday.

Further Group E fixtures against Tunisia and Angola follow, with Diaby anticipating close contests throughout.

"I see all the teams are at similar levels, that's why every game will not be easy," the Sporting Lisbon forward said in quotes on the Confederation of African Football's official Twitter account.

"We are ready to face any team."

Temperatures are expected to be above 30 degrees Celsius for the fixture, but Mauritania head coach Corentin Martins insists that will not unduly worry his side.

He said: "There's no problem with the weather, it's the same as in Mauritania.

"We have an ambition we want to achieve regardless of the opponent. We'll try to make the Mauritanian people happy."

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Group A

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Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

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Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

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Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

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Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

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Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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