Les Aigles arrive at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations searching for their first ever title, but they are, nonetheless, predicted a successful tournament in South Africa. With a star-studded midfield and attack, Mali should be able to match even the strongest sides at the competition, although their back line appears to lack some quality as well as experience. With Ghana, Congo DR and Niger in their group, Patrice Carteron’s side should have no problems reaching the quarter-finals.

Star players Mahamadou Diarra, Abdou Traore, Bakaye Traore and Tongo Doumbia were all left out after failing to prove their fitness, but Mamadou Samassa of Chievo Verona made the squad despite struggling through injury. PSG’s Momo Sissoko returns to the international fold, while Seydou Keita and Samba Diakite complete the high-quality midfield.

Mali AFCON squad

Goalkeepers: Soumbeyla Diakite (Stade Malien), Mamadou Samassa (Guingamp), Aly Yirango (Djoliba AC)

Defenders: Adama Coulibaly (AJ Auxerre), Idrissa Coulibaly (Al Lekihwiya), Ousmane Coulibaly (Stade Brest), Salif Coulibaly (Djoliba), Fousseiny Diawara (AJ Ajaccio), Mahamadou Ndiaye (Vitoria Guimaraes), Adama Tamboura (Randers), Molla Wague (SM Caen)

Midfielders: Samba Diakite (QPR), Seydou Keita (Dalian Aerbin), Momo Sissoko (Paris St Germain), Samba Sow (Racing Lens), Kalilou Traore (Sochaux), Mahamane Traore (Nice), Sambou Yatabare (Bastia)

Forwards: Cheick Diabate (Bordeaux), Cheick Diarra (Stade Rennes), Sigamary Diarra (AC Ajaccio), Modibo Maiga (West Ham), Mamadou Samassa (Chievo).

Mali AFCON History

Mali narrowly missed out on the 1972 Africa Cup of Nations title, having lost to Congo in the final, but they then needed another 22 years to qualify for the tournament finals. Les Aigles reached the semi-finals in 1994 and again in 2002 and 2004, while they won the bronze medal at the last edition of the tournament, beating Ghana 2-0 in the third-place play-off, after narrowly losing to Ivory Coast in the semis.

Players to Watch

Midfield trio of Seydou Keita, Momo Sissoko and Samba Diakite is crucial to team’s chances of reaching the closing stages, and these players certainly have enough quality and experience to lead les Aiglons to the last four. Strikers Cheick Diabate and Modibo Maiga have matured a great deal over the last year or so, and they will relish the opportunity to prove themselves at the biggest stage.

Group Matches

Sunday, January 20, 2013, v Niger (19:00 CET in Port Elizabeth)   1.53 4.0 8.0
Thursday, January 24, 2013 v Ghana (16:00 CET in Port Elizabeth)
Monday, January 28, 2013 v Congo DR (18:00 CET in Durban)

Prediction

Mali arrive at the tournament finals in good spirits, having won last three competitive fixtures and it appears new boss Patrice Carteron has already found the right balance in the side. Les Aigles boast plenty of quality and experience in all areas of the team and I’m positive they can reach the semi-finals for the second consecutive time. They look likely to miss out on the coveted trophy, but another place on the podium appears on the cards. Mali are 3.40 (12/5) with Betfair to reach the final.

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