Coudray steps down, Traore takes over Mali coaching job
BAMAKO (AfroBasket Women 2015) Frenchman Herve Coudray is no longer the head coach of Mali, Jean Claude Sidibe, chairman of Mali Basketball Federation (FMBB) announced on Wednesday.
BAMAKO (AfroBasket Women 2015) - Frenchman Herve Coudray is no longer the head coach of Mali, Jean Claude Sidibe, the Chairman of Mali's Basketball Federation (FMBB), announced on Wednesday.
Coudray, who was in his third stint experience with Mali, has been replaced by Amara Traore.
The Frenchman had coached Mali at the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women and helped the country accomplish a third-place finish at AfroBasket 2011 on home soil, in Bamako.
Last month, Coudray's Mali trounced Guinea in qualification for the 2015 All-African Games.
According to Sidibe, Coudray and the FMBB envisioned different strategies for the upcoming AfroBasket Women 2015 to be held in Yaounde, Cameroon, from 24 September-3 October.
Le président de la Fédération Malienne de Basketball, Me jean Claude Sidibé hier face à la presse : « Hervé C... http://t.co/r5UXhRGVpY
— maliweb.net (@MaliwebNet) July 29, 2015
Among the points of contention, the official said that his institution wanted former Mali international Hamchetout Maiga to serve as Coudray's assistant, while the Frenchman preferred the 36-year-old to play.
In the process, Coudray tendered his resignation and the FMBB handed Traore the reins of the team.
Our objective is none other than the qualification for the [2016] Olympic Games. - Sidibe
Traore, who served as an assistant to Coudray since Mali's preparations began in June, became a credible option in Mali's basketball circles due to his international resume.
The new head coach guided Mali to two FIBA Africa U18 women's championship titles (2006 and 2008), and as a result he coached the Western African country at two consecutive FIBA U19 World World Championship for Women (2007 and 2009).
He will be assisted by yet another revered coach Oumarou Sidiya, who has helped Mali win the last four editions of the FIBA Africa U16 Women Championship for Women.
Traore is expected to make his debut at the helm of Mali in a three-team warm-up tournament taking place in Algeria this weekend.
Mali, who won the continental title in 2007, are among the front-runners at AfroBasket Women 2015.
In order to fulfil the FMBB's aspirations, Traore and his team will need to succeed in Group A where they will face hosts Cameroon, Mozambique, South Africa, Gabon and Uganda.
FIBA