Diarra delivered the most emphatic result of Matchday 10 in the Malian Ligue 1, while leaders AS Real were held to a draw as a round dominated by stalemates produced little movement at the top of the table.
The 10th round of fixtures, played across Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 January 2026, was characterised by tight encounters and shared points, with several sides cancelling each other out and struggling teams doing just enough to inch forward without finding a decisive breakthrough.
Action began on Tuesday with AS Bakaridjan facing Union Sportive de Bougouba in a closely contested encounter.
Both teams traded periods of control but were unable to gain a decisive advantage, eventually settling for a 1-1 draw.
The result reflected the balance of the contest and left both sides frustrated, as neither managed to capitalise on key moments to secure all three points.
Wednesday’s programme followed a similar pattern. US Bougouni and Derby Académie, both positioned near the bottom of the standings, played out a cautious and tense goalless draw.
Chances were limited, with neither side willing to take excessive risks, and the 0-0 scoreline ensured that both teams collected a single point without significantly improving their league position.
At the top end of the table, attention focused on AS Real, who entered the round as league leaders.
Playing at home against ASKO, they were expected to assert their authority, but instead found themselves in a difficult contest.
ASKO matched their hosts for intensity and organisation, and the match ended 1-1.
While AS Real retained first place, the dropped points allowed ASKO to climb into fifth position, underlining the growing competitiveness in the chasing pack.
The most decisive outcome of the round came from Diarra, who produced a commanding performance to sweep aside Afrique Football Élite 4-0.
From the opening stages, Diarra imposed their rhythm and took control of the game, converting their dominance into goals and never allowing their opponents a route back into the contest.
The comprehensive nature of the victory stood in contrast to the rest of the round and marked Diarra out as the standout performers of Matchday 10.
That result propelled Diarra into third place in the standings, level on 20 points with the team in second, tightening the race behind AS Real.
While the league’s leading sides avoided defeat, the prevalence of draws ensured that the table remains finely balanced, with several clubs still well placed to challenge as the season progresses.
Matchday 10 may not have delivered major surprises, but Diarra’s emphatic win and AS Real’s slip served as reminders that momentum can shift quickly in a tightly contested Malian Ligue 1 campaign.
