Stade Malien could play in CAF Champions League final next season, says head coach Mauril Njoya

Head coach Mauril Njoya has set his sights on a deep continental run next season, insisting Stade Malien have the quality to reach the final of the CAF Champions League.

The Bamako-based side saw their campaign halted at the quarterfinal stage after a heavy first-leg defeat to a team led by Miguel Cardoso. The 3-0 loss at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane left them with a mountain to climb.

Despite the setback, Stade Malien responded with a spirited performance in the return leg at home, securing a 2-0 victory over the South African outfit.

However, the result proved insufficient to overturn the aggregate deficit and secure a place in the semifinals.

Njoya’s side came agonisingly close to levelling the tie, only to see a crucial third goal ruled out for offside—an incident that denied them the chance to push the contest to penalties.

Reflecting on the performance, Njoya expressed pride in his players and maintained that the team’s display justified belief in a brighter future.

“Yes, the score, if it’s in terms of numbers, I think we can be proud of this score. I just want to say that we are proud of our team, we are proud of what has been done,” Njoya said in a video posted by Stade Malien.

“I think that if we can speak in a fairly logical way, this team, reinforced next season, could go to the final, why not?”

The coach said this is why they have no regrets, confidently saying they just have to go to the Champions League and take back their place among the continent’s best.

“Yes, because we are going to come back, we are going to come back to the Champions League, this place is ours, we are going to take it back and come back to the Champions League.

“Our ambition, the ambition of Stade Malien, is always to be a champion.”