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Without a penalty conceded in the last seconds of additional time against Gambia (1-1) on January 16, the Eagles of Mali would have completed the first round of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) with three victories.
But this slight hitch has not diminished the excellent impression they have left since their arrival in Cameroon where the continental tournament is taking place. Winner of Tunisia (1-0) for their first match, they also dominated Mauritania (2-0) and finished top of their group, a classification which leads them to face Equatorial Guinea in the round of 16 on Wednesday 26 January.
Didier Gomes Da Rosa, the French coach of Mauritania, says he was impressed by the performance of the Eagles against his team. ” Not only Mali is the favorite of this match [face à la Guinée], but it is, in my opinion, one of the countries capable of winning this CAN. He was an outsider, today we have to see him as one of the favoriteshe assures. Their team is very complete and exudes a lot of power and solidarity. »
The Eagles of Mali have not lost since June 15, 2021 and a defeat in Tunisia (0-1) in a friendly match. In the second round of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, they collected sixteen points out of a possible eighteen against Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, without being able to play a single match in Bamako, the 26-March stadium. not having been approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
“Write a page of our history”
” What makes me very proud is that my team, in these six games, did not concede a goal and scored eleven. And on the occasion of this first round of the CAN, we confirmed this route. But we approach this meeting against Equatorial Guinea with humility, respecting an opponent who beat Algeria (1-0) in the first round “, Underlines coach Mohamed Magassouba, appointed in September 2017.
In twelve participations in the African Cup of Nations, Mali has come close to the title on several occasions, such as in 1972 in Cameroon, where it reached the final against Congo (2-3), then in 2012 and in 2013, finishing in third place. But the Eagles have never managed to put their name on the competition’s list, despite a squad that has long included world-class players, such as Seydou Keïta (ex-FC Barcelona), Frédéric Kanouté (ex-FC Sevilla) or Mahamadou Diarra (ex-Lyon, Real Madrid).
” Currently, we don’t have such a star in our team. But look who makes up the selection: boys who play in the best European leagues, like Traoré in Rennes, Haïdara at RB Leipzig or Bissouma in Brighton. I have been working with a frame for several years and this stability pays off “, continues Mohamed Magassouba, who also summoned four players playing in Africa, including goalkeeper Ibrahim Mounkoro (TP Mazembe, DRC).
“Massive support from the people”
The performances of the Eagles in Cameroon have a particular impact in Mali, in a context marked by political instability and terrorism. The supporters of the national team, traditionally very attached to their team, follow this AFCON with great interest, as much by passion for football as to escape the harsh realities of everyday life.
” I live in Mali and I can therefore tell you that there is a massive support from the people for the team’s performances, because they bring joy, lightness to people who need it. “Adds the coach.
His selection, if it eliminates the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea, will face Morocco in the quarter-finals. ” We can write a page of our history during this AFCON “, concludes the technician, not without mentioning the double appointment with Tunisia, in March, ” and which could allow the Eagles to qualify for their first World Cup”. 2022 may be the year of Malian football.