AFCON 2015 – Mali: Experienced Eagles Ready to Ruffle Feathers in Group D
Ranked 50th in the FIFA world rankings and 11th in Africa, Mali heads into the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations as a seasoned competitor. With eight previous appearances, including a runner-up finish in 1972 and back-to-back bronze medals in 2012 and 2013, the Eagles of Mali are aiming to defy the odds once again.
Grouped with Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Guinea in the fiercely competitive Group D, coach Henryk Kasperczak and his team are viewed as solid outsiders capable of causing surprises.
🔹 Mali at a Glance
Federation: Malian Football Federation (Femafoot)
Confederation: CAF
Nickname: Eagles
President: Boubacar Baba Diarra
Coach: Henryk Kasperczak
CAN Appearances: 1972, 1994, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013
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📅 Group Stage Fixtures
Jan 20: Mali vs. Cameroon – 7 p.m. in Malabo
Jan 24: Ivory Coast vs. Mali – 4 p.m. in Malabo
Jan 28: Guinea vs. Mali – 6 p.m. in Mongomo
🛣️ Road to CAN 2015
After a strong start in qualifying, Mali faced a scare with back-to-back defeats to Malawi, but a crucial 2-0 win over Algeria on the final day sealed their place. Their qualifying record:
6 matches – 3 wins, 3 losses – 8 goals scored, 6 conceded
“Even though we were in a difficult situation, especially at the end, the objective has been achieved,” said Kasperczak.
🌟 Key Players to Watch
The Star: Seydou Keita (AS Roma, Italy)
Veteran midfielder and team captain Seydou Keita remains the heartbeat of the Eagles. Now 34, the former Barcelona and Roma man brings leadership, experience, and composure to Mali’s midfield.
Rising Threat: Moustapha Yatabaré (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
Stepping into the void left by Cheick Diabaté, Yatabaré is Mali’s attacking hope. With a vital goal in qualifying against Algeria, he will look to carry that form into Equatorial Guinea.
🧤 Goalkeepers
Soumaïla Diakité (Esteghlal Khuzestan, Iran)
Germain Berthé (Eleven Creators, Mali)
N’Tji Michel Samaké (CS Dougouwolofila, Mali)
🛡️ Defenders
Drissa Diakité (SC Bastia, France)
Fousseyni Diawara (Tours FC, France)
Molla Wagué (Udinese, Italy)
Ousmane Coulibaly (Platanias, Greece)
Adama Tamboura (Randers FC, Denmark)
Idrissa Coulibaly (Hassania Agadir, Morocco)
Salif Coulibaly (TP Mazembe, DR Congo)
Mohamed Konaté (RS Berkane, Morocco)
⚙️ Midfielders
Seydou Keita (AS Roma, Italy)
Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton, England)
Ahmed Tongo Doumbia (Toulouse FC, France)
Sambou Yatabaré (Guingamp, France)
Yacouba Sylla (Kayseri Erciyesspor, Turkey)
Mamoutou Ndiaye (Zulte Waregem, Belgium)
Abdou Traoré (Bordeaux, France)
Sigamary Diarra (Valenciennes, France)
🎯 Forwards
Mohamed Traoré (Al Merreikh, Sudan)
Moustapha Yatabaré (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
Abdoulaye Diaby (Royal Mouscron, Belgium)
Modibo Maïga (FC Metz, France)
🧩 Typical Starting XI (4-4-2)
Soumaïla Diakité – Ousmane Coulibaly, Salif Coulibaly, Idrissa Coulibaly, Adama Tamboura – Sambou Yatabaré, Mamoutou N’Diaye, Yacouba Sylla, Sigamary Diarra – Moustapha Yatabaré, Abdoulaye Diaby
⚠️ Outlook
Mali’s mix of veterans and emerging talent gives them real potential. Though not top favorites, their AFCON pedigree and mental strength make them a team to watch in the tournament’s “group of death”.
Can they make another deep run? Only time will tell.
