Mali Profile – CAF TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations
Mali has been one of the most consistent teams in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. This Eagles will honour their 10th participation in the competition, with the ambition to lift a third title in the tournament following their successes in 2015 and 2017.
In 9 appearances, Mali has reached the semi-finals 7 times, with only two early exits (2005 and 2011). They were runners-up in 1997, third in 1999 and 2001, and fourth in 1995 and 2023.
A true breeding ground for young talent, Mali has become a reference on the continent for youth football development and enters every edition as one of the favourites. This time, they will certainly be even more determined, aiming to avoid the flaws that have often led them to fall short of the ultimate prize.
How They Qualified
Mali secured their spot by finishing second in the WAFU A Zonal qualifiers. The Eagles, after an impressive run in the tournament held in Senegal, lost in the final to the host country after a penalty shootout. Senegal, the reigning African champions, thus avenged their loss to Mali, who had denied them the title in 2023 in Mauritania.
After a flawless run in Group A where they beat Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau 1-0 and cruised past Mauritania by 4-0, Mali won 3-2 against Gambia in the semifinals before stumbling in the final in a thrilling match.
Competition History
The two-time champions are a regular in the competition with 10 appearances to their name.
Winners in 2015 and 2017, the Eagles have always played key roles in the tournament, as evidenced by their seven semifinal appearances in 9 participations. They were fourth in their first appearance in 1995, reached the final in 1997, and finished third in 1999 and 2001.
2005 and 2011 are the only editions where they were eliminated in the first round.
Players to Watch
· Seydou Dembele
At just 16, he is already seen as the rising star of Mali. A product of the prestigious Jean-Marc Guillou Academy in Bamako, the midfielder nicknamed "Messi" by his teammates, dazzled in the qualifiers where he was deservedly named the best player.
· Bakary Simpara
Simpara is the lethal weapon of the Malian attack. Born in 2008, he has a true goal-scoring instinct, having won the golden boot in the WAFU-A tournament with five goals. Alongside the young FC Guidars player, Adama Diéfla Diallo, the U-17 Eagles' coach has a strong attacking duo.
Coach and Tactical Approach
Appointed head coach of the Mali U-17 team in January 2024, replacing Soumaila Coulibaly, Adama Diéfla Diallo (38 years old) will lead the Eagles to Morocco.
A key figure in Malian football development, Diallo who has built a reputation over the years and is known for his tactical approach that is focused on technique and possession, staying true to Mali's tradition of producing skilled and technically gifted players.
Expectations and Group D Analysis
As the reigning champions, Mali naturally enters the tournament as one of the favourites. However, they will still face a tough challenge to advance from what promises to be a difficult group stage.
· Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire represents a serious challenge for Mali. Runners-up in the WAFU-B zone, the Young Elephants are also determined to claim the trophy that has eluded them since 2013.
· Angola
Angola is also among the teams to watch in Morocco. Their squad is full of both technical and hardworking players. Their best performance in the tournament came in 2019 when they finished third. Even though they are not the favourites in Group D, Angola has the potential to create surprises.
· Central African Republic
The debutants will be full of ambition. In the recent UNIFFAC tournament, they showed tremendous character, which will be crucial when facing any team in the competition.