Mali coach Demba Traoré: “We want to play well and stay true to our identity”

Mali coach Demba Traoré says his side will look to continue the country’s proud tradition in youth football when they begin their TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 campaign against Angola.

The West Africans arrive in Morocco carrying the weight of expectation after finishing runners-up in the previous edition and consistently establishing themselves as one of the continent’s strongest youth football nations.

Mali’s impressive record at U-17 level has been built on years of investment in academies, structured player development and regular exposure to competitive football from an early age.

The Aiglonnets have also enjoyed success on the global stage in recent years, producing players who have progressed from youth football to the senior national team setup.

Ahead of their opening Group C encounter, Traoré reflected on the foundations of Mali’s continued success, the growing competitiveness of African youth football and the identity he wants his players to display in Morocco.

In this exclusive interview with CAFOnline.com, the Malian tactician explains why discipline, education and attacking football remain central to the country’s philosophy at youth level.

CAFOnline.com: Mali is a benchmark for U-17 football in Africa, with several continental titles and finals. What do you think are the foundations of this sustainable success?

Demba Traoré: This is based above all on the quality of training in football centres and schools in Mali. There are now many academies that are working seriously at grassroots level. This work has been structured for several years and there is a real policy for the development of youth football.

There are also many expatriate coaches who participate in this progression. All of this is built over three, four or five years of training. The children arrive in these structures at a very young age, which makes learning much easier.

CAFOnline.com: Mali’s U-17 teams often give the impression of being very mature tactically and mentally. How do you explain this?

Demba Traoré: Young players take part in many matches very early in their development. For example, there are inter-academy tournaments that can involve more than twenty matches. This repetition allows the players to learn quickly.

The work starts at a very young age and, over time, the competitive spirit naturally develops. At their age, some already play many matches each season. This accelerates their progress and also highlights the quality of the work being done by Malian educators.

CAFOnline.com: Mali have also shone on the world stage with several FIFA U-17 World Cup finals. What impact has this had on Malian football?

Demba Traoré: When we look at the Mali senior national team today, we find almost the entire U-17 generation from 2018. This shows that these competitions truly serve as a springboard.

Young players who perform well very early quickly gain the trust of coaches. During the last African competitions, several former U-17 players were already part of the senior team. This is a huge advantage for Malian football because it allows you to build a team over time.

CAFOnline.com: Do you feel any particular pressure ahead of this new U-17 AFCON, given the legacy of previous generations?

Demba Traoré: Yes, of course. But it is positive pressure and we accept it as such.

We are taking it step by step. First, we must negotiate the group stage well and qualify from this group of four teams. Then we will think about what comes next. The pressure is there, but it should push us to improve and perform better.

CAFOnline.com: African youth football is evolving very quickly, with nations becoming increasingly competitive. What are the challenges in keeping Mali at the top?

Demba Traoré: We must continue to work and further strengthen training structures. This is essential.

The categorisation of young players is also very important. From the U-11 or U-12 categories, we must offer programmes adapted to their development. This work never stops; it is a permanent process. We also have to think about how to help these young players remain at the highest level for a long time.

CAFOnline.com: Beyond the results, what identity do you want to see in this Malian generation at the 2026 U-17 AFCON?

Demba Traoré: I want to see a team that produces football, that enjoys having possession and offering quality play. This is still youth football, and the players must enjoy themselves on the pitch while respecting the values of fair play.