The Eagles of Mali are in excellent form and are as a result on the lips of most Aficans tipping them to win the AFCON and also do better in the upcoming Fifa World Cup tournament.
They have been in superb form throughout the qualifiers of both the AFCON and Fifa World Cup thus ,winning a total of five (5)games and drawing only one (1). The Malians also did nit dissapoint themselves in the AFCON 2021 qualifiers. They lost only 1 game in the AFCON 2021 qualifiers, won 4 and drew just 1.
The coach of this wonderful side ,Mohamed Magassouba must be commended for coming up with such a phenomenal and strong team of this kind . Their coach is blessed to have a taste of wonderful and good players who is playing a top flight football throughout Europe..
Yves Bissouma from Brighton was called to The Eagles again after a 3-year absence. Salzburg midfielder Mohamed Camara, Al Ahly midfielder Aliou Dieng, Amadou Haidara of RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim midfielder Diadie Samassekou are all included in the team. Southampton forward Mousa Djenepo and Sarpsborg 08 forward Ibrahima Kone are all included also. After the days of Mahamadou Diara, Seydou Keita, Mohamed Sissoko and Frederick Kanoute, Mali has struggled for world-class players but this generation can do the unthinkable. These players are playing at the highest level in Europe and when together , will be the team to beat in the AFCON 2021 Tournament.
Their strength will undeniably be their midfield. They have a young, powerful and energetic midfielders. The Eagles halcyon days in the AFCON was in Cameroon 1972 when they lost 3-2 in the finals against Congo. Will the land of Cameroon be nice to them again? Expectations will be high considering the quality and the abundance of talent they have. Mali topped their group in 2019 AFCON in Egypt and lost to Wilfred Zaha's 76th-minute strike in the round of 16 against Ivory Coast. The Eagles must go far in Cameroon. Mali will be the dark horse in Cameroon and they will be a difficult nut to crack. In a group with The Gambia, Mauritania and Tunisia, the Eagles will qualify for the knockout stage.
The Integral member of the team
TP Mazembe goalkeeper Ibrahima Mounkoro will get the nod at the expense of Malmo FF keeper Ismael Diawara. Mounkoro started 5 of Mali's six games in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. 29-year-old Renne's right-back Hamari Traore is the man to lead Mali's back four alongside Nantes left-back Charles Traore. Yves Bissouma, Aliou Dieng, Mohamed Camara, Diadie Samassekou and Amadou Haidara are all capable of challenging any midfield in the AFCON. Moussa Djenepo and Ibrahima Kone will lead The Eagles attack.
Probable Lineup for the side
4-2-3-1
Ibrahim Mounkoro (GK)
Hamari Traore, Charles Traore, Falaye Sacko, Kiki Kouyate (DF)
Yves Bissouma, Mohamed Camara,
Moussa Djenepo, Amadou Haidara, Adama "Malouda" Traore (AMF)
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