Mali come into their first African Cup of Nations since 2004 after surprisingly failing to qualify for the tournament in 2006. Whil they may not possess riches to compare with the Ivory Coast, for instance, they have several prominent European-based players, including Fredi Kanoute at Sevilla and Mahamadou Diarra at Real Madrid.Mali haven't been exactly regular participants at the African Cup of Nations - four qualifications prior to 2008 - and they have never been to a World Cup. However, when they have played, they have done well. Their best performance came in 1972 when they finished as runners-up, and the three other occasions (1194, 2002 and 2004) saw them finish in fourth spot.
Malian football was given a significant boost when the tournament was hosted there in 2002, and the investment in the local football infrastructure bore almost immediate results. In 2003 the U-20 side finished third in the World Youth Championships; a year later, the core of that team got to the quarter finals of the 2004 Olympics, holding Mexico to a draw in the group stages before going out to a late extra-time goal from Italy.
Mali have never had such a strong side with so many players based at some of Europe's top sides. Optimism has reached new heights in the country, with hopes raised to the effect that they might be able to go one better than their 1972 performance. The qualifying campaign did nothing to temper such dreams, with Mali finishing top of the group with the best defensive record of any of the qualified 15 sides.
With only 1 goal conceded in the 6 matches - shipped in their home draw against Benin, who have also qualified - the defence is obviously a strong point. In one of the tighter groups where three sides still had a chance of qualification going into the final match day such a good defensive record is highly impressive. Vital goals from Fredi Kanoute and Mamadu Sidibe in their final match against Togo secured Mali their place at Ghana, but also sparked off ugly scenes which culminated in Sidibe being stabbed by an angry Togolese supporter.
Whilst hopes were high after qualification, recent friendly results since have brought fans back to earth after their heroes were beaten 3-2 by both Senegal and Algeria before Christmas. However, the Mali management have put a positive spin on these events, and there is a degree of relief that the whole country hasn't become totally carried away on a wave of optimism prior to the kick off for the tournament.
The draw for the tournament hasn’t done Mali any favours, placing them in a group with the Ivory Coast and Nigeria, as well as Benin, whom they failed to beat in qualifying. French coach Jean-Francois Jodar has played down his side's chances of pulling off a shock in the tournament and has sought to play down their ability to even make it past the group stage claiming that both the Nigerian and Ivorian squads are stronger.
Despite the public pessimism of the coach, Mali do possess a strong side, although there are a number of players drawn from outside Europe. Players called up from Algerian, Moroccan, Qatari and even domestic football will play alongside the more established talents such as Kanoute and Diarra.
In goal they start with Soumailia Diakite, a goalkeeper based with leading Malian side Stade Malien, who currently top the first division. The 23 year old was first choice in the Olympic team. He is backed up by two European based keepers: Mahamadou Sidibe plays in Greece for PAS Giannina whilst Oumar Sissoko is at French side Metz.
The defence is marshalled by Lens centre back Adama Coulibaly, who is a rock at the heart of the back-line for both club and country. Coulibaly started his career with Marseille but got his first chance in the red and gold of Lens and is one of the first names on the team sheet for new coach Jean-Pierre Papin.
His centre-back colleague also plies his trade in France with Auxerre: Sammy Traore is a former PSG centre-back who was surprisingly released in the summer despite being one of the better performers for the club. Both powerfully buil.t Coulibaly and Traore will provide firm barriers and were key components in Mali's stingy defence during qualification.
Another defensive option is Cedric Kante, who is with Nice and one of their first choice full-backs, having already made 18 appearances for them this season in Ligue 1 in their rise to 7th.
Yet another defender to look out for is 26 year old Moussa Coulibaly, currently under contract to MS Algiers of Algeria. One of the Olympic players, he has been watched by several Spanish clubs including Villarreal and Barcelona, but remains in Algiers for now.
The midfield is dominated by the presence of Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, who has been nominated for African Footballer of the Year last season. The former Vitesse Arnhem midfielder made his name in French football with Lyon after proving himself to be a combative tackler as well as an excellent distributor of the ball. He has since gone on to make nearly 50 appearances for Real Madrid in the 18 months at the club after being drafted in by Fabio Capello to stiffen up Real’s defensive options.
A similar type of player to Diarra is Mohamed Sissoko, who is still with Liverpool, despite constant speculation linking him with a move away to Juventus in the winter transfer window. Although only used sparingly this season by Benitez, Sissoko is a player in the same mould as Diarra, and the pair form an almost impenetrable midfield.
From the right Mali usually opt for Seydou Keita, who secured himself a high profile move to Sevilla in the summer to link up with his colleague Kanoute. The former Lens midfielder scored 15 times in just over 150 games for the French side before moving to Andalucia. He scored 2 goals in his first 10 league games for Sevilla, including an impressive long range effort against Valencia.
On the left is Drissa Diakite, who in his youth won favourable comparisons with Bayern midfielder Ze Roberto. Another of the Nice based players he has made 9 appearances in the league for them and has been linked with moves to Everton, Newcastle and Real Zaragoza. Now 2,2 the time is right for Diakite to show what he can do on an international stage.
Up front Mali’s undoubted star is Fredi Kanoute. The former West Ham and Spurs striker has enjoyed 2.5 fabulous seasons in Spain with Sevilla with a goal ratio of one every other match. This season Kanoute already has 8 in just 12 La Liga appearances and hopes will be resting on Kanoute’s shoulders that he can keep the goals coming in Ghana.
His most likely partner is Lokomotiv Moscow striker Dramane Traore, who has endured a frustrating season with the Muscovites, as they finished 7th. Nevertheless Traore has done wellin the colours of his country, scoring 3 of Mali's 4 goals in those 3-2 friendly defeats.
Mali, if they wish, can also employ an out and out target man in the shape of Mamady Sidibe, the Stoke City forward, who was involved in his side’s recent 0-0 draw against Newcastle United. Although not a striker with a formidable goal ratio, his work-rate and ability to win the ball in the air makes him a useful player in the squad and means that Mali can adopt a long ball style if they wish.
Although the majority of the side that reached the semi-finals is still intact from 4 seasons ago, Mali will find it tough going to qualify from the group. On paper both the Ivory Coast and Nigeria look stronger outfits. Therefore a good start against Benin will be crucial as they look to replicate their achievements from recent editions of the tournament.
Main man – Fredi Kanoute: with 8 goals in 18 internationals Kanoute, needs to take his club form onto the international stage. With a solid defence and midfield keeping the opposition at bay defensive tightness should be assured but to win games Mali need goals, and they will look mainly to Kanoute to provide these. If Kanoute can get the goals flowing then Mali could be outside bets yet.
Prediction – the best team to go out at the group stage.
No comments:
Post a Comment