TEAM PROFILE: Mali aim big at 2023 AfroCan
Led by the man behind the Whites’ success, Kaba Kante, Mali hope to break the curse and finally end up on the podium of a major African competition.
BAMAKO (Mali) – Mali hosted the first-ever FIBA AfroCan in 2019 and watched DR Congo get crowned from a distance. With a Fifth-Place finish, Mali were from their pre-established goal.
But still, Mali are always looking forward to perform at the continental level. Stade Malien's impressive display at Basketball Africa League (BAL) Season 3 indicate that Mali basketball is on the right track.
Mali beat Chad to claim a fifth-place finish in 2019
Led by the man behind the Whites’ success, Kaba Kante, Mali hope to break the curse and finally end up on the podium of a major African competition, more than 30 years after their third place at the African Championship for Men.
Will Kante be able to create the ideal conditions for Mali to achieve this much-desired success ? We’ll have the answer on July 16th.
Meanwhile, find below some facts about Mali.
Team: Mali
FIBA Ranking Men: 74th in the world; (12th in Africa)
Last participation at the AfroCan: 2019
Best result at the AfroCan: Fifth-Place (2019)
How they qualified for the 2023 AfroCan: Only the teams that reach the Semi-Finals qualify automatically for the following season of the AfroCan. As 2023 AfroCan hosts Angola finished third four years ago, Mali, who finished fifth, earned automatic qualify for the 2023 edition of the tournament.
Africa: They couldn't fulfil their desire of winning the trophy at home four years ago, but Mali are regular to FIBA Africa’s competitions.
They even made it to a podium at the FIBA African Championship for Men. But this feat goes back to 1972, when they finished third. Since then, Mali have never known better than a fourth-place finish.
Star player: Mali can count on a group of experienced players to lead the charge at the FIBA AfroCan, which is why it is difficult to pinpoint one player here.
Rising star: Mali are recognized as the home to many young basketball stars. But little is known about coach Kante’s list. Aliou Diarra and Souleyman Berthe are the first names that come to mind, but their presence in the Mali squad is not yet acquired.
Kaba Kante
Head Coach: Kaba Kante is a household name in Mali. He has been recently associated with the Stade Malien de Bamako’s relative success at the Basketball Africa League (BAL), when he led the Blancs to a podium finish.
Kante is a former point guard and team captain of the Malian senior team. He starred for his country until early 1990s before he started his coaching career.
Outlook: It is difficult to predict an outcome for Mali. When they hosted the inaugural edition of the FIBA AfroCan in 2019, they were expected to bring home the trophy, but they couldn't meet the expectations.
However, Mali are known for their breeding of talents and will be sure to align a very competitive team this year.
Drawn in Group B along hosts Angola, they have yet to know who will be their second opponent, with FIBA Africa offering a wildcard. But looking at things the way they are, Mali are expected to get past the Group Phase at least.
FIBA