ABDOULAYE DIABY EYES AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS SPOT WITH MALI AFTER DREAM DEBUT
At just 23 years old, Abdoulaye Diaby has made a strong start to his international career with Mali, earning a call-up for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ethiopia. The Mouscron striker, who was trained in France at Sedan, has already scored seven goals this season in the Belgian league, where he is currently the second-highest scorer.
“Being an international gives you a different status, but I haven’t really changed,” Diaby told walfoot.be. “I’m still as determined and hardworking as before. However, I definitely feel much stronger. These last two selections have boosted my confidence.”
Diaby marked his international debut with a goal and has been trusted to start in both appearances so far.
“For an international debut, I couldn’t have hoped for better. The coach started me twice, which shows a great deal of confidence in me.”
With his sights now set on the Africa Cup of Nations, Diaby is eager to help Mali qualify — and to secure his spot in the final 23-man squad.
“The African Cup of Nations is something we’re obviously thinking about. It would be a dream to play in the CAN with Mali. For that, we must first qualify. Then, I must hope to be among the final selection. I will do everything to achieve that.”
