Bassiriki Diabaté, the Quiet Father Figure of the Éléphanteaux
He never shouts. He corrects, adjusts, reassures. From his bench, Bassiriki Diabaté leads with a calm demeanour. But as the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations TotalEnergies 2025 progresses, his influence is becoming increasingly clear in the players' demeanour, in their passing patterns, in the way they carry themselves. At 46, the Cote d’Ivoire U-17 head coach isn’t here to make noise. He’s here to rebuild and to pass on values.
“I call him ‘dad’,” smiles Christ Yannick Kouassi, the team’s goalkeeper. It’s an affectionate nickname and a telling one. Listening to him, it’s clear the bond with Diabaté goes far beyond the pitch. “He’s always there for us. When we lose, when we doubt ourselves, he supports us. He believes in us, even when we don’t believe in ourselves.”
A TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON to reconnect with the past
It had been twelve years since Côte d’Ivoire last participated in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. An eternity for a nation that once claimed the continental crown in 2013. Diabaté knew this when he took over the team in the autumn of 2022. And he never hid his intentions: “This tournament is, first of all, a chance to measure our progress but more importantly, to prove that Côte d’Ivoire can be a contender again.”
Since the start of the tournament in Morocco, his young Elephants have shown a vibrant face. Three wins in the group stage, a hard-fought quarter-final victory against Senegal, and a narrow semi-final loss to the hosts in a tense battle. Beyond the results, it’s their playing style that stands out vertical, lively, full of movement. A style Diabaté proudly champions.
From University Lecture Halls to the Touchline
Choosing the pitch wasn’t an easy decision. With a degree in Philosophy and a Master’s in Law and Public Administration, Diabaté could have pursued a career elsewhere in an office, in management, within an institution. That’s what his family had hoped. “They told me football wasn’t a real profession. It was a passion, a hobby. Not a serious path.” He had to convince them explain, insist.
He began by developing players from the 2015 generation at the Cyril Domoraud academy, including Junior Tallo Gadji, Wilfried Kanon, and Jean-Michaël Seri, who would later become an African champion in 2023. He went on to win the Ivorian League with Racing Club d’Abidjan. It wasn’t until 2022 that he officially took charge of the U-17 national team. “It’s not a promotion,” he says. “It’s a responsibility. I’m working for the future of our football.”
Identity Above All
In every pre-match speech, Diabaté comes back to the same core message: Identity. “We have to know who we are. What we’re capable of. What we want to show.” This Ivorian identity, he describes as “a mix of spontaneity, creativity, elegance in play, and strong attacking intent.” It’s not about copying European or Brazilian models, but embracing a local tradition shaped by decades of talent.
That’s why he refuses to stifle his players. He gives them responsibility and encourages them to take initiative. “I often tell them: you’re young, but you’re also ambassadors of our football.”
A Vision Backed Internally
Diabaté is not working alone. He has the full backing of the Ivorian Football Federation, especially its President, Yacine Idriss Diallo, who is deeply committed to youth development. “What Bassiriki is doing with this team is exactly what we want for all our youth squads’ discipline, ambition, and pride,” says a senior federation official.
The medium-term goal is clear: regularly qualify youth teams for both AFCON and World Cups and prepare them for the elite level. To that end, Diabaté is building methodically, with no rush. He emphasises follow-up after the tournament, and continuity of effort.
One Last Step to Climb
This Friday, they face Burkina Faso in the third-place play-off at the Laarbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. A bronze medal is at stake.
“To finish with a win would be a great reward for this group. They deserve it.” Once again, Diabaté steps aside and lets his players take the spotlight. As always.
He won’t say much more. It’s not his style. But his eyes say it all about the commitment, the dedication, the quiet pride. About the profession he chose, against all odds. And which he now carries out with dignity.
