Exclusive by James Copnall BBC Sport, Tunis

Senegal captain Malick Diop says his team has not been playing well

Senegal are so worried by the start they have made to their Cup of Nations campaign that they have held a crisis meeting.

The Lions of Teranga met up on Sunday night to discuss their worrying form as they go into today's crunch game with Mali.

Senegal have to win to finish top of group B and so avoid hosts Tunisia in the quarter-finals.

However, a draw against Burkina Faso and an unconvincing win against Kenya constitute a shaky start for the 2002 finalists.

"We really haven't been playing well, and we are all aware of that," captain Malick Diop told the BBC in an exclusive interview.

The problem is not technical or tactical, but mental and moral Senegal captain Pape Malick Diop

"That's why we held this meeting.

"I think the problem is we have become the team to beat.

"Burkina were so motivated to get a result against us, when to be honest they are not in the same league as us."

Diop is confident the team meeting will have done the trick.

"I think the problem is not technical or tactical, but mental and moral," he explained.

Senegal brush past Kenya

"We were all a bit disappointed after the Burkina game, because we really wanted to start well.

"But I expect to see a different Senegal side against Mali."

All the same, Diop is aware how difficult today's game will be.

"Mali are a well-organised team, who play simply and well, and in Frederic Kanoute they have a great finisher," is the Lorient defender's verdict.

"We want to beat them because it is always good to avoid the hosts."

Diop also admitted that his side was feeling the heat, with Senegalese expectations sky high after the Lions reached the 2002 Nations Cup final and the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

"Any Senegalese who tells you he is not under pressure is a liar!" Diop explained.

"It is very difficult to carry the hopes of a whole nation."

Senegal play Mali today at 1300 GMT.