The Malian women's national football team, known as the Aigles Dames, will face Benin in the second round of the Olympic qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The match will take place at the Kégué stadium in Lomé, Benin, as the host country does not have a stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football. Mali enters the match with favorable odds, given their more solid experience compared to Benin.
The Aigles Dames are coming off a disappointing elimination in the first round of the 2026 African Women's Cup of Nations in Morocco. However, they have a strong squad and are determined to make a good impression in the Olympic qualifiers. Captain Fatoumata Karentao and her teammates aim to win the match and confirm their success in the return leg on October 13 at the 26 Mars stadium in Bamako.
The team's interim coach, Bintou Camara, expressed confidence in her team's chances of victory. She stated that the team has prepared well and is determined to achieve a great result. Camara urged the players to follow her instructions carefully and ignore the opposing team's fans. She also called on the Malian community in Togo to come out and support the team.
The team's players are also optimistic about their chances. Captain and goalkeeper Fatoumata Karentao said that the team is confident and takes the match seriously. Defender Marine Coudon added that the team is ready and determined to win, while striker Aïssata Traoré emphasized the importance of the match and the need to be cautious and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
The president of the Women's Football Commission, Konaté Diaty N'Diaye, invited the Malian diaspora in Lomé and Benin to come out and support the team. She stated that the team is ready to offer a great show and urged the fans to come and cheer them on. Benin's coach, Abdoulaye Ouzérou, acknowledged that his team faces a tough opponent but expressed hope that his team can cause an upset.
The winner of the match between Mali and Benin will face the winner of the Tunisia-Senegal duel in the third round. The matches are scheduled to take place between February 23 and March 6, 2027. Only the two finalists will qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games.
The Malian team is seeking to make history by becoming the third African team to qualify for the Olympic Games, following Nigeria and Zambia, who represented Africa in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The team's players and coaches are determined to make a good impression and bring pride to their country.
Key points
- Mali's women's football team faces Benin in the second round of Olympic qualifiers.
- The team's interim coach, Bintou Camara, expressed confidence in her team's chances of victory.
- The winner of the match between Mali and Benin will face the winner of the Tunisia-Senegal duel in the third round.
