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2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Group E preview

By Liam Bekker

12 April 2019, Egypt, Cairo: Retired Cameroonian footballer Rigobert Song holds the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy on top of an open top bus during a tour in the streets of Cairo ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations draw, which to take place at the Pyramids of Giza. Photo: Hassan Mohamed/dpa (Photo by Hassan Mohamed/picture alliance via Getty Images)
12 April 2019, Egypt, Cairo: Retired Cameroonian footballer Rigobert Song holds the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy on top of an open top bus during a tour in the streets of Cairo ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations draw, which to take place at the Pyramids of Giza. Photo: Hassan Mohamed/dpa (Photo by Hassan Mohamed/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
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TOPSHOT – Mali’s midfielder Yves Bissouma (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Uganda and Mali in Oyem on January 25, 2017. / AFP / ISSOUF SANOGO (Photo credit should read ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Mali’s midfielder Yves Bissouma (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Uganda and Mali in Oyem on January 25, 2017. / AFP / ISSOUF SANOGO (Photo credit should read ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images) /

Mali

Mali are making their eleventh appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations. Ranked 62nd in the world, the West Africans are the highest ranked nation in their group and will be favorites to progress as group leaders. They have never won the competition but achieved a third place finish in both 2012 and 2013.

Qualification

Yacouba Sylla’s side enjoyed a near-perfect qualification campaign, winning four and drawing two of their six matches. The Eagles were one of only five sides to qualify without losing a match and boasted the best defensive record (alongside South Africa) after conceding just two goals.

If Mali were miserly in defense, they were equally clinical in attack and scored ten goals in qualifying. That left them with a +8 goal difference which was bettered only by host nation Egypt who recorded an incredible +11 in their group.

The squad

Mali have named a predominantly European-based squad with goalkeepers Ibrahim Mounkoro, Djigui Diarra and Adama Kéïta the only three players playing in Africa. Interestingly, the goalkeeping department was a contentious position heading in to the tournament. Regular ‘keeper Mamadou Samassa declined a call-up after not being given an assurance that he would be a guaranteed starter in goal for his nation.

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Sylla has no problems in his outfield where he is able to call upon stars such as Amadou Haidara and Moussa Marega, although he will be without the injured Yves Bissouma for the tournament.

Key player: Amadou Haidara

21-year old Amadou Haidara is the third-youngest player in Mali’s squad but will arguably be his nation’s most important player. The young midfielder has seen his star rise in recent years where he has excelled with Red Bull Leipzig and RB Salzburg.

Haidara’s slight frame defies his combative nature which has seen him become one of the most promising box-to-box midfielders in Europe. He is as adept at defending as he is going forward and will no doubt contribute at both ends of the pitch for Tunisia in Egypt.

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