The Mali national football team, led by coach Anthony Da Silva, has started its preparations for the CAN 2027 qualifiers. All 26 players called up for the team's first training session at the Centre d'entraînement pour sportifs d'élite Ousmane Traoré in Kabala were present, except for midfielder Lassana Coulibaly, who plays for US Lecce in Italy. Coulibaly joined the team later in the day. The players were in high spirits, despite the fatigue from their travels.
The team's first day of training was conducted in a festive atmosphere, with the players engaging in light exercises with the coaching staff. Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who plays for Young Africans of Tanzania, expressed his excitement about the new adventure with the Aigles. He emphasized the importance of the team's first match against Cape Verde and the need for the team to work together to achieve their goal of qualifying for the CAN 2027.
Djigui Diarra highlighted the team's good state of mind, with many players knowing each other well. He noted that the first day of training had gone well, despite the fatigue, and that the team was looking forward to the match against Cape Verde. The team's objective is to qualify for the CAN 2027, and Diarra emphasized the importance of winning the first match.
Ange Martial Tia, a forward for Stade de Reims, expressed his joy at being called up to the national team for the first time. He was thrilled to see his senior teammates and train with them. Tia acknowledged that the match against Cape Verde would not be easy but expressed confidence in the team's ability to win.
Tia emphasized the importance of commitment and motivation in the team's match against Cape Verde. He noted that if the team remained focused and aggressive, they could easily beat their opponents. The coaching staff is continuing to prepare the team for the match, which will take place on Friday at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako.
The Mali team is in Group K for the CAN 2027 qualifiers, along with Cape Verde, Rwanda, and Liberia. After the match against Cape Verde, the team will travel to Liberia for their second match. The team will also play a friendly match against Tunisia on October 3.
The team's preparation is part of a larger effort to improve Mali's sports infrastructure. The government has launched a program to rehabilitate and modernize the country's sports facilities. The team's coach, Anthony Da Silva, is optimistic about the team's chances of qualifying for the CAN 2027.
Key points
- The Mali national team is preparing for the CAN 2027 qualifiers under new coach Anthony Da Silva.
- The team is in Group K with Cape Verde, Rwanda, and Liberia.
- The team's first match is against Cape Verde on Friday at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako.
