Bamako, Mali – (African Boulevard News) – Mali’s U-17 football team has booked their place in the semis of the TotalEnergies U17 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), beating the Congo Democratic Republic. The victory puts them one step closer to the final and gives them renewed confidence. They will now focus on their upcoming game against Morocco, leveraging their best players to clinch a spot in the final.
Mali’s coach, Nouhoum Diane was back at the helm for the quarter-finals after recovering from Covid-19 and will be happy with his team’s performance. The Malians started off strong, with Aboubacar Koita scoring early in the first half. They continued to pressure the Congolese defense, and eventually, Makan Konate doubled their lead with a second goal. Despite conceding a penalty, Mali held on to their lead, and the match ended 2-1.
Following the match, Mali’s striker, Lassana N’Diaye expressed his satisfaction with their performance. “We played well, we fought hard, and we are happy to be through to the next round of the tournament. Our focus now is on the game against Morocco, and we are determined to give it our all.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Mohamed Coulibaly acknowledged that their ultimate goal is to lift the trophy. “We have ticked one box, which is getting past the quarter-finals, but we still have a long way to go. We are now focusing on our next game against Morocco. Our aim is to win the tournament, and we will do everything in our power to make that happen.”
Mali’s entire arsenal will now be trained on Morocco and by extension a stab at reaching the final. The Moroccan team has also been impressive, having won all their matches so far in the competition. However, the Malians are not intimidated and believe they have what it takes to beat them and advance to the final.
The other semi-final match-up will feature Nigeria against Ghana. Both teams are also capable of winning the tournament, so it promises to be an exciting encounter.
In conclusion, Mali’s victory in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies U17 AFCON has set them on course to achieve their ultimate goal of lifting the trophy. They will now prepare to face Morocco in the semi-finals, a game that will require their full focus and effort. With their best players and a determined spirit, Mali believes they have what it takes to make it to the final and emerge victorious.
