Lassine Sinayoko reflects on Mali’s painful AFCON 2023 exit against Ivory Coast
Malian striker Lassine Sinayoko has opened up about his lingering frustration over Mali’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final defeat to Ivory Coast. Despite months passing since the tournament, the AJ Auxerre forward admitted that the memory of the loss remains a painful one, especially given the high expectations surrounding the team’s performance.
The match, which saw Mali fall 2-1 to eventual champions Ivory Coast, left a deep mark on Sinayoko and his teammates, as they believed they could have gone further in the competition.
Reflecting on that encounter, Sinayoko shared his disappointment in an interview, explaining how the loss continues to haunt him.
“As soon as I hear the words AFCON or Ivory Coast, it hurts me because it’s a match that we should never have lost. Never in our life. But at the same time, that’s what makes football even more beautiful.
We only have ourselves to blame, but we’re going to try to make up for it,” he said.
Mali’s clash with Ivory Coast in the AFCON quarter-finals was a tightly contested affair, with both sides displaying moments of brilliance.
However, it was the Elephants who emerged victorious, eliminating Mali from the tournament and shattering their dreams of lifting the coveted trophy.
For Sinayoko, the defeat felt like a missed opportunity for the Eagles to assert themselves as one of Africa’s top footballing nations.
The match had been anticipated as a close encounter, with Mali showing great promise throughout the tournament.
But despite taking an early lead, they were unable to hold on, as Ivory Coast mounted a successful comeback.
The loss left a bitter taste for the Malian squad, with Sinayoko’s words capturing the shared sense of regret.
Since that disappointing exit, Mali has been on a journey of rebuilding and refocusing. The appointment of Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet as head of the national team marks a new chapter for the Eagles.
Saintfiet’s experience and tactical knowledge are expected to guide Mali as they look ahead to future competitions, including AFCON 2025.
Mali’s national team has long been considered a sleeping giant in African football, boasting a wealth of talent but often falling short at critical moments.
With Saintfiet now at the helm, the goal will be to harness the potential of players like Sinayoko and turn those bitter lessons from AFCON 2023 into motivation for success in the future.
Sinayoko, for his part, remains determined to help Mali bounce back from their heartbreak. The striker is focused on the future, with the hope that the team can learn from their mistakes and rise to the challenge in upcoming tournaments.
As Mali continues its recovery under Saintfiet’s leadership, there is optimism that the team can overcome the disappointment of AFCON 2023.
The Eagles have a talented squad capable of competing at the highest level, and the lessons learned from their painful exit could serve as a turning point in their quest for continental glory.
For Sinayoko, the road to redemption is clear. While the sting of defeat may still be fresh, he and his teammates are determined to make amends and return stronger in the next edition of Africa’s premier football competition.
Mali’s journey to the top of African football is far from over, and with players like Sinayoko leading the charge, the Eagles may yet soar to new heights in the near future.
