Former Mali international Fousseyni Diawara has been appointed as the new head coach of the country’s U-23 national team.
The 44-year-old, who represented Mali from 2002 to 2015, returns to the Eagles’ setup in a coaching capacity, the Malian Football Federation (Femafoot) announced via an official statement.
A Familiar Face Returns
Diawara, a former right-back with 55 international caps, played a key role in Mali’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaigns, helping the team reach the semi-finals in 2002, 2004, and 2013, with the latter tournament earning them a bronze medal.
Since retiring, he has worked as a football analyst for Canal+ and has gained coaching experience both at club and international levels.
His return to the national team comes alongside another former Mali international, Samba Sow.
The 35-year-old ex-midfielder, who earned 36 caps and scored two goals for the Eagles, has been named General Manager of the senior national team.
Coaching Journey and Experience
While this marks Diawara’s first head coaching role with Mali’s U-23 squad, he is no stranger to the country’s football setup.
From 2019 to 2022, he served as an assistant coach for the senior team under Mohamed Magassouba, helping guide Mali through two AFCON tournaments.
However, the team was eliminated in the round of 16 on both occasions—first against Ivory Coast and then against Equatorial Guinea.
Diawara also recently worked with the Guinean national team as part of Kaba Diawara’s coaching staff, helping them reach the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON.
A New Challenge with the U-23s
Now at the helm of the U-23 squad, Diawara will be tasked with developing Mali’s next generation of footballing talent.
His appointment signals the federation’s intent to build a strong foundation for the future, with the hope of nurturing players who can eventually make an impact at senior level.
As Mali continues its pursuit of success on the continental and global stage, the return of experienced figures like Diawara and Sow brings both leadership and continuity to the national team structure.
