Mali achieved a third-place finish in the 2013 CAN, marking their second consecutive bronze medal. In the 2012 edition, the team was led by Alain Giresse, but after securing third place, the French coach departed in May 2012.
Taking charge of the Malian selection in July 2012, Patrice Carteron guided Mali to its second bronze medal in eight CAN participations. While the Eagles fell short in the semi-final against Stephen Keshi’s Super Eagles, Malian Captain Seydou Keita expressed a desire for coaching stability. Despite the disappointment of not reaching the final, Keita emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and building a competitive team under Carteron’s leadership.
Keita stated, “Changing coaches all the time is pointless. He needs to stay there as long as possible.” Reflecting on the previous year when Alain Giresse left after finishing third, Keita expressed a wish for stability, emphasizing that it is through continuity that positive results are achieved. Despite falling short in the semi-final, Keita conveyed his hope that Malians would find satisfaction in the team’s overall performance in the tournament.
