Mali Olympic Team Set to Face China in Friendly Clash in Shenzhen
The Mali Olympic football team, known as the Eaglets, is preparing to face China in an international friendly this Sunday in the city of Shenzhen.
Led by coach Cheik Oumar Koné, the squad features predominantly players who currently ply their trade on the African continent. Notably, several members hail from prominent clubs such as TP Mazembe and Renaissance Sportive de Berkane.
The Malian contingent from TP Mazembe includes defenders Boubacar Diarra and forward Cheibane Traoré, while Mohamed Konaté represents Renaissance Sportive de Berkane in Morocco.
The full squad comprises 19 players, including:
Goalkeepers: Soumaila Diakité (Stade Malien de Bamako), Germain Berthé (AS Onze Créateurs)
Defenders: Idrissa Coulibaly (Raja de Casablanca), Issaka Samake (Stade Malien de Bamako), Mohamed Camara (AS Real Bamako), Abdoulaye Traore (Djoliba AC), Ousmane Keita (Djoliba AC), Mohamed O. Konaté (Renaissance Sportive de Berkane), Boubacar Diarra (TP Mazembe)
Midfielders: Diadie Samassekou (AS Real Bamako), Ibourahima Sidibe (AS Real Bamako), Souleymane Diarra (AS Real Bamako), Yaya Samake (AS Nianan)
Forwards: Cheibane Traoré (TP Mazembe), Mohamed Traoré (El Merrick), Moussa Doumbia (AS Real Bamako), Lamine Diawara (Stade Malien de Bamako), Mamadou Sidibe (AS Police), Boubacar Traoré (CS Duguwolofila)
This friendly match offers the young Malian squad valuable international experience as they continue their preparations ahead of upcoming continental and global competitions.
