BAMAKO (Mali) - Boasting a record 19 national titles and 25 national cups, Stade Malien head into the Elite 16 with their 2023 BAL podium finish still fresh in mind.
Have they got what it takes to make it to BAL and, potentially reach the podium for the second consecutive time? Only time will tell.
HOW STADE MALIEN QUALIFIED TO THE ELITE 16
Stade Malien reached the Elite 16 by virtue of finishing second of Group A of the West Division, in Tripoli, Libya.
They wrapped up their Libyan trip with a 1-1 mark.
Facing hosts Al Ahli Tripoli for their opening game, the Bamako-based side were handed a 85-66 defeat and had to fight their way to victory against Cape Verde’s Kriol Star.
They walked away with a 81-76 win, which was enough to see them through to the Elite 16.
KEY PLAYERS IN THE GROUP PHASE
Stade Malien relied on a handful of players during the Group Phase.
Mahamane Coulibaly was their leading scorer, with an average 18 points per game, while Abdramane Kanoute average 11.5 points over the two games.
N’Faly Kanoute and Mondesir Dade Haman each recorded 10 points per game in Tripoli, making them essential pieces of the Bamako-based outfit.
Makan Keita and Mahamadou Kante were the leaders in terms of assists. The former distributed a team-high 4.5 assists per game, while the latter finished with 4 assists per game.
HEAD COACH
51-year-old Boubacar Kanoute was appointed as the head coach of Stade Malien in January. A long-serving assistant of Kaba Kante, he was called in to replace the former head coach, who was instrumental in the Bamako-based team’s podium finish at the BAL in 2023.
As a player, Kanoute achieved a career-high 4th place with Mali at the 1999 African Championship for Men. Before that, he was part of the squad that finished 6th (1997) and 5th (1995).
STADE MALIEN'S BAL HISTORY
Stade Malien have had what can be called a successful debut in the BAL.
Starting from the Road to BAL, then progressing to the Elite 16 and finally claiming a podium finish in 2023, becoming the first team from the Road to BAL to achieve such a feat.
Then-led by the dynamic duo Souleiman Berthe and Aliou Diarra, they finished third, beating Petro Luanda 73-65.
In their run to their historic 2023 finish, they finished the Group Phase with a 2-1 streak, only bowing to Cote d’Ivoire’s ABC Fighters and claiming convincing victories over Benin’s Elan Coton and Niger’s Nigelec Basket Club.
They kept the momentum in the Elite 16, topping the West Division Group B with a 3-0 streak, and finishing third. Progressing to the Sahara Conference, Stade Malien finished as Conference winner, due to their head-to-head point difference that determined the ranking of five teams with a 3–2 record.
Progressing to the Playoffs, they saw off Cape Town Tigers before meeting their Waterloo against Al Ahly, who would go on to be crowned BAL 2023 champions.
Stade Malien has harbored Aliou Diarra, Defensive Player of the Year and member of the All BAL First Team and BAL All-Defensive Team. Diarra was instrumental in Stade Malien’s run as he finished with 12.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.
NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS REPRESENTING STADE MALIEN
Team captain Makan Keita, Abdramane Kanoute, N’Faly Kanoute, Mahamadou Kante have all suited up for Mali at the 2023 FIBA AfroCAN, in Angola.
YEAR OF CREATION AND CLUB OWNERSHIP
Stade Malien was founded in 1960 and plays in the Ligue 1, which is the highest level of basketball in Mali.
Over the years, it has built its reputation by winning a record 19 national titles and 25 national cups. The team reached the FIBA Africa Club Champions Cup finals twice, in 1972 and 1989. Both finals were lost, to Red Star Ndongo and ASEC Mimosas respectively.
The club, a multisport entity, is currently chaired by Mamadou Samake, while the basketball team is under the management of businessman Moustapha Touré.
HOME COURT
Stade Malien play their home games at the Palais des Sports Salamatou Maiga. The 8000-seat arena was named after late Salamatou Maiga, former General Secretary of the Malian Basketball Federation and FIBA Africa Executive Member.
FIBA