Aïssata Traoré (Mali): "During our absence, we never doubted"

• Seven years after Mali’s last appearance at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s AFCON, Aïssata Traoré returns with fire in her belly and one goal in mind: proving that the 2018 story was only the beginning.
• At 27, she combines maturity and sharpness. She heads to Morocco in peak form, driven by a consistency that commands respect.
• Up against the defending South African champions, Ghana, and Tanzania, Mali’s No. 10 knows every ball will count.

She has a frank gaze, a direct way of speaking, and the kind of dribbling that can flip a match on its head. At 27, Aïssata Traoré is no longer just the future of Malian football — she is its present. She’s about to return to the stage she never wanted to leave: the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Seven years after the historic 2018 run in Ghana that ended in a semi-final, the striker is back with a clear goal: to take the “Aiglonnes” even further.

After five seasons at Guingamp, she reached a new level with her move to Fleury in the summer of 2024. In a highly ambitious squad, she quickly became the spearhead of the attack: 9 goals and 4 assists in 20 D1 Arkema matches, including 19 starts. The stats speak for themselves — but they don’t tell the full story of her impact: her off-the-ball movement, her ability to involve teammates, and her defensive work ethic make her a complete player.

The Malian international knows the pride — and pain — that comes with wearing the national jersey. She hasn’t forgotten the frustration of 2022, when Mali failed to qualify and had to watch the tournament from the sidelines. But she turned that disappointment into fuel. “No one ever doubted,” she says calmly. “When you work hard, there’s no room for doubt.”

And Mali has been working. Now drawn into Group C alongside South Africa, Ghana, and Tanzania, the team knows there will be no easing into the tournament. For Aïssata Traoré, it will be a moment of truth. She’ll lead a dangerous frontline that includes Agueicha Diarra. 

Together, they represent the rebirth of a generation that has been away from top-tier African football for too long.

As the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s AFCON approaches, Aïssata Traoré shares her goals and ambitions in this interview with CAFOnline.com.

CAFOnline.com: You were part of Mali’s last run at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s AFCON in 2018 in Ghana. What do you remember most from that experience?

Aïssata Traoré: I have very good memories — amazing, even. We reached the semi-finals, which was a first for most of us. It was a very positive and unforgettable experience.

But in the last edition, Mali wasn’t there. As an international player, how did you experience that absence?

It was incredibly frustrating. I really wanted to play in that WAFCON, but unfortunately, we didn’t qualify. Watching other teams on TV, from home… that left a bitter feeling. It’s not an easy thing to go through.

Seven years later, Mali is back and making a strong return. What does this comeback mean to you, and why do you think it’s happening now?

This return shows we never stopped working. After our last appearance, we kept moving forward as a group. No one gave up. We stayed united. We knew qualifying would be tough, but we kept listening to each other, pushing ourselves, working hard — and in the end, it paid off. So yes, this comeback is very satisfying.

What was the most difficult part of that rebuilding period? Did you ever doubt that Mali would return to this level?

Honestly, no. Mali is a powerhouse in African women’s football. Finishing fourth in 2018 wasn’t a fluke. So yes, we told ourselves we had to come back — that we couldn’t remain absent. No one doubted. And when you work the right way, there’s no space for doubt.

How is this upcoming tournament different from the one you played in 2018?

Very different. In 2018, it was my first WAFCON. I gained a lot of experience and lived through intense emotions. Now I return with that experience, and I’m surrounded by new players who bring so much to the team. And the context has changed — in 2018 we were in Ghana, this time it’s Morocco. Different country, different culture. We’ll have to adapt, but we’re ready.

Mali is in Group C with South Africa, Ghana, and Tanzania. What’s your take on that group?

It’s a very tough group. Every team will bring their best. There are no favourites — anyone can qualify, and anyone can go home after the group stage. The key will be to start strong, right from the first match, no matter the opponent. We have to be ready to give everything.

What are Mali’s ambitions for this TotalEnergies CAF Women’s AFCON?

 Mali is an ambitious country. We didn’t qualify just to participate. We want to go as far as possible in this competition. That begins with managing our first matches well. Then we’ll move forward step by step. But yes, our goal is to go far.

Mali has serious attacking weapons. How would you describe the team’s offensive chemistry? And what do you personally want to contribute?

I want to be as decisive as possible — to contribute offensively, of course, but also defensively. A good attack starts with a good defense. So I also want to help in that area — be present in both boxes, be effective at both ends of the pitch. We’re a team. And to go far, we need to score a lot… and concede little, or nothing at all. That’s where we’ll focus.

You seem to have great game awareness — we can almost see the future coach in you.

(laughs): Maybe! A future coach… why not?

Finally, if you could speak to the younger Aïssata from ten years ago — the one playing football in the street — what would you tell her?

I’d tell her to enjoy herself. To play like a kid, without overthinking — just for the love of the game. Not to listen too much to outside noise, and to stay focused on her passion. Because at the end of the day, playing football is a privilege — not everyone gets to do it. So yes, just have fun, play with your friends in the street — that’s what really matters.