*The Official Mali Thread*

[ZeekLTK]

This thread is for everything MALI!!

http://www.atlasgeo.net/flags/animations/Mali.gif

http://archives.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/africa/01/03/africa.economies/mali.timbuktu.jpg

http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/specialprojects/africa_access/AA_Research_Projects/Mali/mosque.jpg

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/gen/fi/20040130/i/1536947629.jpg

http://www.atlasgeo.net/flags/animations/Mali.gif

General Information
* FIFA Trigramme: MLI
* Country: Mali
* Country (official name): Republique de Mali
* Continent: Africa
* Capital: Bamako
* Major cities: Ségou, Mopti, Sikasso, Kayes, Gao, Tombouctou
* Currency: CFA franc
* Official languages: French
* Motto: One people, one goal, one faith.

Geographic Information
* Surface area: 1,240,000 km²
* Highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m.
* Neighbouring countries: Mauritania, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal
* Neighbouring seas and oceans: None

Population
* Population (in millions): 11.63
* GDP per inhabitant (in US dollars): 860
* Density (inhabitants per km2): 9.38
* Average age (in years): 16.3
* Life expectancy at birth (in years): 45.43

Football Association
Founded: 1960
Affiliated: 1962
WC participations: None
WC honours: None
Continental Titles: Copa Amilcar Cabral (1989, 1997)

Football Facts

* Mali entered the 1966, 1994, and 1998 tournaments but withdrew on all three occasions, taking to the world stage for the first time in 2002.

* It was to be a brief appearance, however, as the side fell 3-0 in the first leg against Libya. Mali battled bravely in the second leg and exited the contest with heads held high after a 3-1 victory.

* Mali reached the 1965 African Games Final against Congo, but the score remained goalless after two periods of extra-time and there was no provision for a penalty shoot-out. Mali's opponents were awarded the title for winning more corners. Mali ran up 2-1 and 2-0 victories over Guinea-Bissau to claim a place in the 2006 FIFA World Cup African qualifying group stage.

[ZeekLTK]

I am going to be traveling to Mali this summer (after the World Cup of course, couldn't miss that!!) and would like to become familiar with Mali football so I can impress the locals (:p), and maybe even catch one of the local league matches while I am there.

From what I've researched, Mali's top professional league has 14 teams, 8 of which are from the capital, Bamako (which is where I'll be from July 10 until August 11).

As far as I know, here are the most recent standings for the league:

1. Cercle Olympique (Bamako) 13 9 1 3 17- 9 28
2. Djoliba AC (Bamako) 13 8 3 2 28-10 27
3. Stade Malien (Bamako) 12 8 3 1 22- 9 27
4. JS Centre Setif Keita (Bamako) 13 6 4 3 19- 9 22
5. USFAS (Bamako) 13 6 4 3 15-11 22
6. AS Réal (Bamako) 13 6 3 4 18-13 21
7. AS Bamako 12 5 3 4 16-11 18
8. AS Commune II (Bamako) 13 4 4 5 17-18 16
9. Stade Malien (Sikasso) 13 4 2 7 8-18 14
10. AS Nianan (Koulikoro) 13 3 3 7 12-16 12
11. Sigui (Kayes) 13 2 5 6 3-17 11
12. AS Bakaridjan de Barouéli (Ségou) 13 2 4 7 10-18 10
-----------------------------------------------------------
13. AS Biton (Ségou) 13 3 1 9 9-26 10
14. Tata National (Sikasso) 13 1 6 6 2-11 9


I could not find a site that lists the remaining fixtures though, only past results (up until March 28, 2006). Does anyone know where I might find one?

According to the site I have found, these are the most recent results:

Round 13
[Mar 26]
Nianan 1-0 CO Bamako
Stade Sikasso 2-1 Commune II [also reported 2-0]
Bakaridjan 1-3 Stade Malien
[Mar 27]
CSK 1-1 AS Bamako
Réal 1-0 Biton
[Mar 28]
Djoliba 2-0 Tata
USFAS 0-0 Sigui

[ZeekLTK]

Bamako teams have dominated the country, winning every league and cup title since the beginning (at least according to everything I found, which only dates back to the 60s)... except for one; in 1987 AS Sigui from Kayès captured the cup by defeating AS Real (from Bamako) 2-1 in the final.

Mali League Champions
* 1966 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1967 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1968 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1969 : AS Real (Bamako)

* 1970 : Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 1971 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1972 : Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 1973 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1974 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1975 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1976 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1977 : pas de championnat
* 1978 : pas de championnat
* 1979 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)

* 1980 : AS Real (Bamako)
* 1981 : AS Real (Bamako)
* 1982 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1983 : AS Real (Bamako)
* 1984 : Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 1985 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1986 : AS Real (Bamako)
* 1987 : Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 1988 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1989 : Stade Malien(Bamako)

* 1990 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1991 : AS Real (Bamako)
* 1992 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1993 : Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 1994 : Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 1995 : Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 1996 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1997 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1998 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1999 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)

* 2000 : Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 2001 : Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 2002 : Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 2003 : Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 2004 : Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 2005 : Stade Malien (Bamako)


Mali Cup Champions
* 1961 : Stade Malien (Bamako) 3-3 2-1 Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1962 : AS Real (Bamako) 7-1 Sonni AC (Gao)
* 1963 : Stade Malien 6-3 Avenir (Ségou)
* 1964 : AS Real (Bamako) 4-3 Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1965 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 5-1 Kayésienne
* 1966 : AS Real (Bamako) 0-0 2-0 Avenir (Ségou)
* 1967 : AS Real (Bamako) 4-1 US Sevaré
* 1968 : AS Real (Bamako) 1-0 Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 1969 : AS Real (Bamako) 8-2 Africa Sports (Gao)

* 1970 : Stade Malien (Bamako) 10-0 Kayésienne
* 1971 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 4-0 Jeunesse Sportive (Ségou)
* 1972 : Stade Malien (Bamako) 5-1 Avenir (Ségou)
* 1973 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 1-1 1-0 AS Real (Bamako)
* 1974 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 2-0 Cercle Olympique (Bamako)
* 1975 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 1-1 1-0 Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 1976 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 0-0 3-0 Avenir (Ségou)
* 1977 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 6-1 Tibo Club (Mopti)
* 1978 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 1-1 2-1 AS Real (Bamako)
* 1979 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 3-1 Stade Malien (Bamako)

* 1980 : AS Real (Bamako) 1-0 Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1981 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 1-0 AS Real (Bamako)
* 1982 : Stade Malien (Bamako) 4-2 AS Biton (Ségou)
* 1983 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 1-0 Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 1984 : Stade Malien (Bamako) 3-1 Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1985 : Stade Malien (Bamako) 4-2 Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1986 : Stade Malien (Bamako) 1-1 2-1 Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1987 : AS Sigui (Kayès) 2-1 AS Real (Bamako)
* 1988 : Stade Malien (Bamako) 3-1 Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1989 : AS Real (Bamako) 2-0 Djoliba AC (Bamako)

* 1990 : Stade Malien (Bamako) 1-0 Djoliba AC (Bamako)
* 1991 : AS Real(Bamako) 2-1 AS Mandé (Bamako)
* 1992 : Stade Malien (Bamako) 1-1 1-0 AS Real (Bamako)
* 1993 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 4-0 USFAS Bamako
* 1994 : Stade Malien (Bamako) 2-0 (a.p.) AS Nianan (Koulikoro)
* 1995 : USFAS Bamako 2-0 Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 1996 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 2-1 AS Real (Bamako)
* 1997 : Stade Malien (Bamako) 2-1 AS Real (Bamako)
* 1998 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 1-0 (a.p.) Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 1999 : Stade Malien (Bamako) 1-0 AS Nianan (Koulikoro)

* 2000 : Cercle Olympique (Bamako) 1-0 Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 2001 : Stade Malien (Bamako) 5-0 Mamahira AC (Kati)
* 2002 : Cercle Olympique (Bamako) 2-1 Stade Malien (Bamako)
* 2003 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 2-1 (a.p.) Tata National (Sikasso)
* 2004 : Djoliba AC (Bamako) 2-0 AS Nianan (Koulikoro)
* 2005 : AS Bamako 1-1 (5 t.a.b. à 4) Djoliba AC (Bamako)

[ELLADA]

Impress the locals? Make sure you can speak French en premier. :)

If you will be attending matches in the summer, je te conseille d'avoir un éventail. (part of your French lesson)



I will help out here as well.. some famous footballers:

A little reminder.. Mali finished 3rd at the 1999 World Youth Cup.


Mohamed Sissoko - Liverpool
Djimi Traoré - Liverpool
Mahamadou Diarra - Olympique Lyon (for how long??)
Mamadou Diallo - Nantes
Fredi Kanouté - Sevilla

feel free to add...

[saurabh]

http://www.sportinglife.com/pictures/general/allsportmomosissokoforliverpool.jpg

The Future Captain of Liverpool

[sirmax858]

is kanoute from mali?

[ELLADA]

Well, Kanouté is born in France, but his parents, I assume, were born in Mali. If not are of Malian descent. His decision to represent Mali instead of France was highly publicized. It was leading up to the CAN in 2004 and that decision did not make him very popular at Tottenham, to say the least. But he wound up top scorer of the tournament and Mali made it to the semis.

[indomitable_lion]

Did anybody see Mali vs. Italy in the quarter finals of the Athens Olympics in 2004? That's the game were Sissoko missed a penalty and the Italians stole it in extra time.

It was the first time I saw him play and I was really impressed...........until he missed the penalty. He was really an attacking midfielder in that game. A lot more that Gerrard is for Liverpool. I wish he would show that side more often.


On another note, I just got this new CD called Sinkan by Sekouba Bambino of Bebeya Jazz. It's actually from 2002 but it's new to me and I love it. A FLAC seed may be in order if there is demand. I also heard Super Rail Band recently and I wasn't that impressed but their guitarist is awesome.

[Dirtycheat]

why is is that mali make such good holding mifielders

first diarra and now sissoko.

also is the other diarra(lassana) of chelseas, frommail too?

[ZeekLTK]

Mali will face Morocco on May 28 in Bamako (a friendly). These teams played two years ago on that day (May 28, 2004) to a 0-0 draw.

Mali has actually played Morocco several times recently. Besides that 0-0 draw, Morocco won 4-0 on Febuary 11, 2004 in the African Cup of Nations. Prior to that, the teams played twice in November 2003 (on consecutive days, the 18th and 19th). The first match, on the 18th, was a 1-1 draw and the "replay" (if that's what it was, I have no idea why they played twice, both games are listed as friendlies) the following day was won by Mali, 1-0. Mali also beat Morocco 3-1 on November 20, 2002 and tied 1-1 on December 14, 2001.

The draw for the ANC '08 (in Ghana) qualifying format has been set up as well. Mali are in a group with Togo, Benin, and Sierra Leone. The schedule is:

September 4, 2006: Sierra Leone - Mali
October 10, 2006: Mali - Togo
March 24, 2007: Mali - Benin
June 2, 2007: Benin - Mali
June 16, 2007: Mali - Sierra Leone
September 8, 2007: Togo - Mali

[ZeekLTK]

Well here is the current standings in the Mali league:

1. Stade Malien (Bamako) 21 15 4 2 43-16 49
2. Cercle Olympique (Bamako) 21 14 4 3 26-10 46
3. Djoliba AC (Bamako) 21 13 6 2 51-19 45
4. JS Centre Setif Keita (Bamako) 21 11 5 5 33-15 38
5. AS Bamako 21 10 4 7 31-17 34
6. USFAS (Bamako) 21 8 9 4 22-18 33
7. AS Réal (Bamako) 21 8 5 8 26-25 29
8. AS Commune II (Bamako) 21 5 8 8 22-30 23
9. AS Nianan (Koulikoro) 21 5 7 9 20-24 22
10. Stade Malien (Sikasso) 21 6 4 11 14-27 22
11. Sigui (Kayes) 21 4 7 10 10-30 19
12. AS Bakaridjan de Barouéli (Ségou) 21 3 6 12 15-30 15
-----------------------------------------------------------
13. Tata National (Sikasso) 21 2 8 11 6-23 14
14. AS Biton (Ségou) 21 3 3 15 15-50 12



I arrive in Bamako on July 11 so, with 8 clubs in the city and 4 matchdays left I'll be certain to find a game to go to.

These are all the games that should be in Bamako while I'm there:


Matchday 23:
USFAS - Djoliba AC
AS Commune II - CO Bamako
AS Real - Tata National
Stade Malien - AS Bamako

Matchday 24:
JS CSK - AS Real
CO Bamako - Djoliba AC
AS Bamako - USFAS

Matchday 25:
AS Bamako - Djoliba AC
JS CSK - AS Commune II
USFAF - Stade Malien
CO Bamako - AS Real

Matchday 26:
CO Bamako - AS Nianan
AS Commune II - Stade Sikasso
Stade Malien - Bakaridjan
AS Bamako - JS CSK


Any recommendations on which would be the best?

[jak914]

dont really have anything to say but have fun. any of the matches will probally be fun to see. i mean it is the mali league. who knows anything about it?

[ZeekLTK]

dont really have anything to say but have fun. any of the matches will probally be fun to see. i mean it is the mali league. who knows anything about it?

Hopefully I will when I get back. :D

My top choice was CO Bamako vs Djoliba AC, but looking at the standings and schedule... Stade Malien might lift the trophy after beating Bakaridjan on the last matchday, so that'd be something to see. Hopefully I can make it to both games since they are on different matchdays.

[ZeekLTK]

Greetings from Bamako.

We are leaving within a week and I never got to go to a division I club match, mainly because it is very poorly organized here so no one ever knew when they were. One guy told me Stade Malien was playing Djoliba AC on July 31 for some kind of cup. Turned out it was Stade Malien vs AS Bamako on July 30...

However, I found out at the last minute that Mali's youth team was playing Guinea later that day (August 6). The stadium was pretty packed, I'd say over 25,000 of the 30,000 seats were filled. Prior to the game I was under the impression that it was the second leg and that Mali came into the game with a 2-0 lead. They won the game 1-0 and had 2 shots hit the crossbar, but afterwards I found out it was only leg 1 and they still have to play at Guinea. Apparently the 2-0 game was an friendly. I have a lot of pictures and video from the game that I will try to upload when I get back to America.

I also wandered down the street during our second week here to join what I thought was a pickup game... it turned out to be a club team's practice. They let me play anyways and invited me to come back. I've been practicing with them for the last 3 weeks. Their name is Soninkara and they are either in the 2nd or 3rd division. Hardly anyone speaks English, and the few who do aren't that great at it, so it is very hard to understand them, especially when my French is worse than than their english.

They had a match for the presidents cup on July 23 and I earned a spot on the bench as a substitute, but never got in the game. They played 3rd division side JRQM, which I'm not sure what it stands for at the moment. We went up 1-0 with a spectacular chip shot from closer to midfield than the penalty box, but they scored an equalizer on a spill by our keeper right after half time. We got the lead again to make it 2-1. Then they scored on what looked to be a clear offsides goal that was allowed anyways. We nearly took the lead again near the end in a scramble just outside the box that resulted in their keeper getting a yellow card, one of our forwards getting sent off, and the ensuing free kick sailing harmlessly over the post. That was with just minutes left, so the game ended 2-2. The teams didn't play overtime because it was getting dark and there were no lights in the 'stadium'. There also was no grass either (and there isn't any on our practice field too).

So it went to PKs. This was how it went (X for score, O for miss):

JRQM: X-X-X-O-X X-X-O-X-X-X
Soninkara: X-O-X-X-X X-X-O-X-X-O

So they won 9-8 on PKs.

I had my camera on the bench and got 3-4 pictures of the game that I will try to upload as well.

[Nelly]

While your online buddy.......Can you eat Pepper soup with Fufu?

I'm making pepper soup right now and don't know if Fufu will be ideal.:o

[indomitable_lion]

Thanks for that post ZeekLTK. It's nice to hear footy stories from home. Did you play with studded cleats or did you buy a pair of those plastic cleats I like to call blister-machines? They're perfect for dirt pitches.

I'm amazed they put you on the team Zeek. Was it a bunch of kids or was the team just showing you some Malian hospitatliy? Or maybe you're just that good Zeek. he he he.

I'm waiting for those pictures.......

While your online buddy.......Can you eat Pepper soup with Fufu?

I'm making pepper soup right now and don't know if Fufu will be ideal.:o Nelly, are you sure you're Scottish? Pepper soup with fufu is some seriously African eating. :D

Just make sure you boil the fufu with a little water and let it cook. The pepper soup is the hard part. If you've got that down, then I'm impressed. Take a picture of it. I gotta see this.

[Nelly]

Nelly, are you sure you're Scottish? Pepper soup with fufu is some seriously African eating. :D

Just make sure you boil the fufu with a little water and let it cook. The pepper soup is the hard part. If you've got that down, then I'm impressed. Take a picture of it. I gotta see this.
Okay,here goes..........still boiling the yams,then it's a case of peeling,mashing and stirring,right?
The soup tastes good............I used Goat chunks.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a83/ne11y/peppersoup.jpg


Satisfied customer! (My Daughter,aged4 and a half):)

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a83/ne11y/peppersoupeater.jpg



ps......ignore the shitty noodles.My sister is here and isn't so adventurous,food wise.A friend of mine in Asia,when I lived there,had a Sri Lankan resteraunt but since it was in an area of many Africans,he sold Fufu and soup.I tried and loved it.This is the first time I tried to recreate it.A new African shop has opened nearby and stalks all the shit I need.......Saka Saka for tea tomorrow.:eek: :D

[indomitable_lion]

Okay,here goes..........still boiling the yams,then it's a case of peeling,mashing and stirring,right?
The soup tastes good............I used Goat chunks.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a83/ne11y/peppersoup.jpg


I'm not sure that what you've got there is fufu but if your daughter is satisfied then I can't complain. :D Just ask the folks at the African shop if they'll teach you how to do it, or if they'll offer you some tips.

Usually fufu is made from flour. Pounding yams into fufu can be considered a cardio workout so I don't recommend venturing in that direction.

[Nelly]

Usually fufu is made from flour. Pounding yams into fufu can be considered a cardio workout so I don't recommend venturing in that direction.MF'er......no wonder those African burds are strong.That was seriously hard going and it was still lumpy.:mad: :(

Going to search for an instant packet type affair the next time.I suppose I should have asked at the shop first.:o :D

Now......sorry for the interupption........back to the Mali thread as my belly's full and my shoulder knackered.;)

[Bruun]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a83/ne11y/peppersoupeater.jpg

Aw... she is so cute! :)

Cool story from Mali. We got a Malisian (:confused: ) football star on the board. Can wait for the pictures! :eek:

[ZeekLTK]

Thanks for that post ZeekLTK. It's nice to hear footy stories from home. Did you play with studded cleats or did you buy a pair of those plastic cleats I like to call blister-machines? They're perfect for dirt pitches.

I'm amazed they put you on the team Zeek. Was it a bunch of kids or was the team just showing you some Malian hospitatliy? Or maybe you're just that good Zeek. he he he.

I'm waiting for those pictures.......


I just got back in the USA a few hours ago. I'm going to bed soon since its like 1:30 AM but I loaded up a memory card to show my family and it had 2 pictures of the team on there so I put them on photobucket to load here. I'll try to get the others (of Mali-Guinea youth and Soninkara-JRQM) as soon as I can.

From what I gather Soninkara is kind of the University of Mali's team. Everyone on the team (except me when I was there) either goes to the university or graduated from in recently. Aside from me, the American, there were guys from Gabon, Ghana, Chad, and all over Mali (from Kayes to Gao) on the roster.

We took a team photo the last day I was there. Guess which one I am. :p

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/ZeekLTK/DSC01797.jpg

(#5 in the middle is the coach).

And this was the field we practiced on, and the field of the presidents cup match was similar.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/ZeekLTK/DSC01803.jpg

[ZeekLTK]

Here were pictures/videos of Mali-Guinea U-20 Qualifier.

Mali won 1-0.

Click HERE to watch the Intro (Teams coming onto field) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un3KO0Hct5A)
Click HERE to watch the GOAL Celebration (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ-VSKy8SHc)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/ZeekLTK/DSC01754.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/ZeekLTK/DSC01756.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/ZeekLTK/DSC01760.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/ZeekLTK/DSC01761.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/ZeekLTK/DSC01768.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/ZeekLTK/DSC01773.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/ZeekLTK/DSC01780.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/ZeekLTK/DSC01782.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/ZeekLTK/DSC01790.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/ZeekLTK/DSC01791.jpg

[fcb_sandy05]

very cool pics zeek...are you the one in the AC Milan jersey ?:D
thats quite a picturesque stadium.
btw one Mali player who I don't think you mentioned is Ibrahim Sissoko.He joined West Brom last season and is highly rated by their staff.He also plays midfield like his brother.

[ZeekLTK]

very cool pics zeek...are you the one in the AC Milan jersey ?:D
thats quite a picturesque stadium.
btw one Mali player who I don't think you mentioned is Ibrahim Sissoko.He joined West Brom last season and is highly rated by their staff.He also plays midfield like his brother.

Yeah it was an amazing stadium. I dunno if you can tell from the pictures, but there were people sitting up in the mountain to watch the game.

That was the smaller of the two stadiums in Bamako; Modibo Keita Stadium. It holds around 30,000 I think.

I picked up 4 Mali jersies, 3 Cote d'Ivoire, and a Guinea while I was there. I previously only had 2 jersies: Spain and Norway, so I took a pic and put those in with all my new jersies:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/ZeekLTK/DSC01821.jpg

New ones I got:

Bagayoko #9 (Mali)
M. Sissoko #18 (Mali)
I. Coulibaly #10 (Mali)
F. Kanoute #7 (Mali)
Salam Sow #3 (Guinea)
Drogba #11 (Cote d'Ivoire)
Dindane #15 (Cote d'Ivoire)
Kalou #8 (Cote d'Ivoire)

[ZeekLTK]

Just found out that Mali will host Tunisia in a friendly in a few days, on August 16.

[weequeg]

Sweet pics Zeek....must have been a great experience.

[ZeekLTK]

Mali defeated Tunisia 1-0 in a friendly about a week ago.

They also beat Guinea again 1-0 in the youth qualifying to advance, 2-0 on aggregate.

[theworm2345]

Bagayoko #9 (Mali)
M. Sissoko #18 (Mali)
I. Coulibaly #10 (Mali)
F. Kanoute #7 (Mali)
Salam Sow #3 (Guinea)
Drogba #11 (Cote d'Ivoire)
Dindane #15 (Cote d'Ivoire)
Kalou #8 (Cote d'Ivoire)
I know you from BigSoccer
any news of Cheick Oumar Dabo when you were there? He is one of the best strikers Mali has, plays at one of the top teams in all of Africa, but hes not in the squad for the Sierra Leone game

[ZeekLTK]

Nope, no news on him. I didn't hear anyone say anything about him for the 5 weeks I was there. In fact, I'm not even really sure who he is, so I dunno about him being the best striker when they have Kanoute and Bagayoko...

[theworm2345]

Nope, no news on him. I didn't hear anyone say anything about him for the 5 weeks I was there. In fact, I'm not even really sure who he is, so I dunno about him being the best striker when they have Kanoute and Bagayoko...
OK, I probably went overboard with one of the best, but he definitly could play for them, behind Kanoure, Bagayoko, Sidibe, etc. But he can definitly play international football (And has, in the 2002 African Nations Cup)

[ZeekLTK]

Mali is kicking off their African Cup 2008 qualifying campaign against Sierra Leone today.

[ZeekLTK]

Mali was held to a draw in Freetown, 0-0.

They are already chasing Togo, who beat Benin 2-1, in the group now. :/

Group 9 Standings (after Matchday 1/6)
1. Togo - 3 pts +1 GD
2. Mali - 1 pt +0 GD
2. Sierra Leone - 1 pt +0 GD
4. Benin - 0 pts -1 GD

[Arsh287]

Does only the top team in each group qualify for the next round?
and nice jerseys man, I love all the african nations colorful jerseys, senegals/cameroons/nigerias/ivoire, all that green orange and yellow.

[ZeekLTK]

Every top team qualifies and 3 of the best 2nd place teams qualify as well.

[theworm2345]

I know you from BigSoccer
any news of Cheick Oumar Dabo when you were there? He is one of the best strikers Mali has, plays at one of the top teams in all of Africa, but hes not in the squad for the Sierra Leone game
Dabo scored twice today for JSK in the African Champions League in JSK's 2-1 victory over Al Ahli (who are considered to be the best in Africa by many :D)
EDIT: Ahli scored in the 97th minute :eek:

[ZeekLTK]

What's "JSK" stand for? They aren't a Mali team are they?

[theworm2345]

What's "JSK" stand for? They aren't a Mali team are they?
JS (Jeunesse Sportif?) Kabylie, Algeria's top team, and one of the top teams in Africa.

[theworm2345]

Dabo scored twice again, this time against ES Setif (the team who is top of the table in Algeria) in a JSK 3-2 loss. CAP HIM

[cartbran]

Is Kanoute back with the Mali team? After the drama following Mali's exit from WCQ, I would not be surprised if his Mali career was over. Hell, if a angry mob was threatening to kill me, I would definitely reconsider my options as well.

[theworm2345]

Is Kanoute back with the Mali team? After the drama following Mali's exit from WCQ, I would not be surprised if his Mali career was over. Hell, if a angry mob was threatening to kill me, I would definitely reconsider my options as well.
No I'm pretty sure he played against Sierra Leone and the match before that I think he scored (Algeria was it?)

I can't read French but it appears Dabo is in the squad for the Togo match
http://www.malikounda.com/discussions/viewtopic.php?t=5738&sid=3eb9802cd901f3e16bcc9e22bb61f060

[fabrisio]

I just hope one day you can upload a mali league match, thank you.

[theworm2345]

Dabo scored twice today for JSK in the African Champions League in JSK's 2-1 victory over Al Ahli (who are considered to be the best in Africa by many :D)
EDIT: Ahli scored in the 97th minute :eek:
Dabo is the top scorer in the Algerian League
www.dzfoot.com

[ZeekLTK]

I just hope one day you can upload a mali league match, thank you.

I don't even think the matches are broadcast on television, and if they are, it's only on local Malien TV, so unfortunately it's going to be nearly impossible to do that. If you want to see them play, the best bet might be trying to get someone to cap an African Champions League match (assuming a Mali club makes it far enough to warrant television coverage).


But, speaking of the Mali League, it kicked off for 2007 at the beginning of December: http://www.rsssf.com/tablesm/mali07.html

Four matches in and Stade Malien are already on top, trying to defend their title. Djoliba AC is right up there at #3, which is no surprise, but AS Korofina is a huge shocker in 2nd. They were in division II last year! It'll be interesting to see not only if this newly promoted squad can hang in the division, but challenge the big boys and get a decent title race going.


1. Stade Malien (Bamako) 4 4 0 0 9- 1 12
2. AS Korofina (Bamako) 4 3 1 0 5- 2 10
3. Djoliba AC (Bamako) 4 3 0 1 10- 5 9
4. JS Centre Setif Keita (Bamako) 4 3 0 1 6- 3 9
5. Cercle Olympique (Bamako) 4 2 2 0 5- 3 8
6. AS Bamako 3 1 1 1 2- 2 4
7. CS Duguwolofila (Koulikoro) 4 1 1 2 2- 3 4
8. AS Nianan (Koulikoro) 4 1 1 2 3- 7 4
9. Sigui (Kayes) 4 1 1 2 2- 6 4
10. Stade Malien (Sikasso) 3 1 0 2 1- 2 3
11. USFAS (Bamako) 4 0 3 1 1- 2 3
12. AS Commune II (Bamako) 4 0 2 2 0- 3 2
------------------------------------------------------------
13. AS Bakaridjan de Barouéli (Ségou) 4 0 1 3 1- 4 1
14. AS Réal (Bamako) 4 0 1 3 2- 6 1


AS Korofina and CS Duguwolofila are the teams who promoted from Division II last season.



Oh yeah, also Mali defeated Lithuania 3-1 last night in a friendly.

[ZeekLTK]

Stade Malien de Bamako lost to AS Douanes from Senegal by a 3-1 aggregate score in the first round of Champions League... but ASD was found to have an ineligible player so they forfeit and Stade Malien moved on to the next round.

Well, Stade blew the second chance against Wydad Athletic Club Casablanca and lost that aggregate by the same score, 3-1. So they are officially out, unless somehow WAC gets in some kind of trouble too.

[deathcab]

Let's dig this thread out.

Jean-Francois Jodar's 23-man squad for the 2008 Cup of Nations is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
Soumbeyla Diakite (Stade Malien)
Mahamadou Sidibe (PAS Giannina, Greece)
Oumar Sissoko (Metz, France)

Defenders:
Adama Coulibaly (Lens, France)
Moussa Coulibaly (Mouloudia Alger, Algeria)
Souleymane Diamoutene (Lecce, Italy)
Cedric Kante (Nice, France)
Boubacar Sidiki Kone (Maghreb Fes, Morocco)
Amadou Sidibe (Djoliba)
Adama Tamboura (Helsingborg, Sweden)
Sammy Traore (AJ Auxerre, France)

Midfielders:
Souleymane Dembele (Djoliba)
Drissa Diakite (Nice, France)
Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid, Spain)
Seydou Keita (Sevilla, Spain)
Djibril Sidibe (Chateauroux, France)
Momo Sissoko (Liverpool, England)
Bassala Toure (Levadiakos, Greece)

Strikers:
Mamadou Diallo (Qatar SC, Qatar)
Mahamadou Dissa (Roeselare, Belgium)
Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla, Spain)
Mamady Sidibe (Stoke City, England)
Dramane Traore (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)


Mali began a training camp in the United Arab Emirates today and will face Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Benin in Group B. Although I can not say I've seen Mali play previously, I have high hopes to see them perform well in Ghana, their defence boasting the experience of centre-back Sammy Traore, in midfield from an overview I can only see a three-man trio of Mamadou Diarra, Momo Sissoko and Seydou Keita, add to that a certain Fredi Kanoute and this Mali team has a minimum program of at least a 3rd place finish in their group, but an optimistic but very realistic view to upsetting one of the big boys in their group. In my view, it is more likely that it would be Nigeria, who as Berti Vogts is saying, is really struggling organisationally. It will also be interesting to see what a Championship-style centre-forward Mamadou Sidibe can add to Mali in an international tournament such as this, also Mamadou Diallo who had a decent spell with Nantes for a few seasons is now plying his trade in the money-league of Qatar, to my surprise. The questionable point as always with African sides seems the goalkeeper, all I know about Mamadou Sidibe is that his side does not play in the Greek top flight, while Metz's Oumar Sissoko is a young reserve keeper. I've no idea about their domestic-based keeper.

[pogoss]

Let's dig this thread out.

Jean-Francois Jodar's 23-man squad for the 2008 Cup of Nations is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
Soumbeyla Diakite (Stade Malien)
Mahamadou Sidibe (PAS Giannina, Greece)
Oumar Sissoko (Metz, France)

Defenders:
Adama Coulibaly (Lens, France)
Moussa Coulibaly (Mouloudia Alger, Algeria)
Souleymane Diamoutene (Lecce, Italy)
Cedric Kante (Nice, France)
Boubacar Sidiki Kone (Maghreb Fes, Morocco)
Amadou Sidibe (Djoliba)
Adama Tamboura (Helsingborg, Sweden)
Sammy Traore (AJ Auxerre, France)

Midfielders:
Souleymane Dembele (Djoliba)
Drissa Diakite (Nice, France)
Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid, Spain)
Seydou Keita (Sevilla, Spain)
Djibril Sidibe (Chateauroux, France)
Momo Sissoko (Liverpool, England)
Bassala Toure (Levadiakos, Greece)

Strikers:
Mamadou Diallo (Qatar SC, Qatar)
Mahamadou Dissa (Roeselare, Belgium)
Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla, Spain)
Mamady Sidibe (Stoke City, England)
Dramane Traore (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)


Mali began a training camp in the United Arab Emirates today and will face Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Benin in Group B. Although I can not say I've seen Mali play previously, I have high hopes to see them perform well in Ghana, their defence boasting the experience of centre-back Sammy Traore, in midfield from an overview I can only see a three-man trio of Mamadou Diarra, Momo Sissoko and Seydou Keita, add to that a certain Fredi Kanoute and this Mali team has a minimum program of at least a 3rd place finish in their group, but an optimistic but very realistic view to upsetting one of the big boys in their group. In my view, it is more likely that it would be Nigeria, who as Berti Vogts is saying, is really struggling organisationally. It will also be interesting to see what a Championship-style centre-forward Mamadou Sidibe can add to Mali in an international tournament such as this, also Mamadou Diallo who had a decent spell with Nantes for a few seasons is now plying his trade in the money-league of Qatar, to my surprise. The questionable point as always with African sides seems the goalkeeper, all I know about Mamadou Sidibe is that his side does not play in the Greek top flight, while Metz's Oumar Sissoko is a young reserve keeper. I've no idea about their domestic-based keeper.
I think the Malians should worry a lot about the defense , especially after the 2 friendlies in France last November .