Mali’s quest for AFCON glory continues when the tournament kicks off in Ivory Coast. Les Aigles have been drawn in Group E alongside Tunisia, South Africa, and Namibia.
By Ayobami Okerinde
Mali’s quest for AFCON glory continues when the tournament kicks off in Ivory Coast. Les Aigles have been drawn in Group E alongside Tunisia, South Africa, and Namibia.
The team have qualified for the last nine editions of the AFCON and earned a consecutive fourth-place finish between 2002 and 2004. In the last two editions, the team has crashed out in the round of 16.
Mali’s best finish was at the 1972 Nations Cup in Cameroon, losing 3-2 in the final to Congo.
The golden era of Seydou Keita, Frédéric Kanouté, and Soumaila Coulibaly would be remembered warmly whenever the name Mali comes up in footballing discourse.
Coach Eric Chelle has promised to restore the country’s glorious era and AFCON will be a better stage to make a statement.
Coach
Eric Chelle is one of the coaches making their debut at AFCON 2023. The 46-year-old ex-international played five times for the Malian team during his days.
Chelle was appointed in 2022 and has a 75 per cent winning rate with the team, with nine wins out of the 12 games he’s been in charge.
Ahead of the tournament, he said he doesn’t care if the team wins the AFCON; he wants to make Mali a respected country in football.
Star Player
High hopes will be placed on Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma to stabilise Les Aigles in the midfield.
The 27-year-old has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League with his passing and defensive abilities.
Bissouma has played 15 times for Spurs this season and had two consecutive Man of the Match performances in the first two matches, against Brentford and Manchester United.
Rising Star
Boubacar Traore is one of the many options for Chelle in a studded midfield.
Traore joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2022 on loan from Metz, and his move was made permanent after impressive performances for the club.
Fixtures
Mali vs South Africa – January 16
Tunisia vs Mali – January 20
Namibia vs Mali – January 24
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