Oumarou Sidiya from Mali wants to reach Top 8

BAMAKO (Mali) - Seven-time African champions in the FIBA Africa U16 Championship for women, Mali has remained a consistent feature at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup and the year 2022 is no different.

“WE'RE STILL GOING TO STRUGGLE TO MEET THE CHALLENGES. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO REACH THE QUARTER-FINALS.”- Sidiya

 But unlike the last five appearances, the West African nation is looking to change the narrative according to the head coach Oumarou Sidiya.

The task before Mali is to put past them the ghost of Team USA that has been haunting them from the inception of the championship. In out of five editions, the perennial African champions have found themselves in the same group in four (2012, 2014, 2018 and now 2022).

If for nothing else, Coach Sidiya admits that Mali is in a tough group.

"It's a draw as usual with principles. We are in a strong group with Team USA. We will try to do our best in that game." Speaking further on plans for the Final Round of the 2022 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup, Sidiya maintains that he would adopt what is available to him and the team.

"Our preparations for the World Cups are essentially local. Nevertheless, we have steadily progressed in the competition by also offering experience to those who will become the U18/19. "

"Unfortunately, our goodwill alone, the enthusiasm and talent of the girls are not enough. We're still going to struggle to meet the challenges. The objective is to reach the Quarter-Finals."

On the teams in the group, the coach is not taking anything away from his opponents. He insists that the other teams are good.

"The USA are tough, Germany are European champions and we're waiting for the Asian country to meet."

Mali, he added, knows that they also have a basketball culture.

"We will do our best. I would like to go to the end of the competition, but at the same time I want to remain realistic," he pointed out.

FIBA