Mali's U18 basketball team, with a history of strong performances including two AfroBasket titles, is set to compete again with a well-prepared squad under coach Moussa Cisse Attar. They aim to secure their third title and qualify for the World Cup, relying on both domestic and international talent.
Last Updated on
September 1, 2024
Njie Trompovsky
Staff Writer
Mali has had a glorious run in their last five U18 AfroBasket and after having tasted glory twice, first on the home court and later elsewhere, the young Malians are keen to return to the fore. As the FIBA U18 AfroBasket gets underway, here's everything fans need to know about the team that's often played flamboyant basketball.
For 25 days, Mali coached by Moussa Cisse Attar was in camp working on their offensive prowess, defensive skills, and ability to play their game with great flair and excitement.
Moussa Cisse Attar knows the demands of the continental event, having first taken charge of Mali two years ago in Madagascar when the team settled for a third spot, overpowering Angola 79-54 to climb on the podium and pick up bronze.
"In 2022, I took the team a month before the competition and I admit it was difficult to have time to prepare. This year, things are different. We have had a good preparation. I have had the team since January. We participated in the friendship tournament and won the final against Tunisia 92-76. The players had a few days of rest and two weeks after the competition we started the preparation so since April we've been together." coach Moussa Cisse Attar.
Coach Moussa Cisse Attar has had time to shuffle his deck and draft the most prominent players.
" I opted for a framework of young people from Bamako because I know them well and some are often outclassed in our first-division basketball championship. This allows them to toughen up"
Added to this cast of players plying their trade in Mali's domestic championship is a quartet of foreign-based players with two honing their craft in the USA while two others are building their career in Spain.
"The objective for us is obvious. We must do everything to qualify for the World Cup and if by chance we can negotiate for the trophy, we will not hesitate. We will go for it"
Mali head to the FIBA U18 AfroBasket for the 14th time and the 13th consecutive time. Their maiden debut at FIBA Africa’s flagship event for U18 was in 1994 in Cameroon where they finished 7th.
Six years later, the Malians returned to the competition in Conakry where they ended on the foot of the podium, securing bronze medals. A feat that was reenacted in 2002. Mali came close to the final in 2006 but Nigeria, the stronger foe, overpowered them 69-41 forcing the Malians to settle for second place. There will be three more bronze medals for Mali in 2010, 2014 and 2016.
Having garnered significant experience, Mali showed the continent their hour of glory had arrived in 2018 on home court, beating Senegal 78-76 to lift their first African title.
Two years later, in a similar scenario but this time around in Cairo, Egypt, the defending champions by two points edged Senegal 82-80 to pick up a second U18 AfroBasket crown.
Having won two AfroBasket titles, finishing second once, and picking up bronze 6 times, the young Malians are keen on getting a third title. But for that to happen Mali will need to overpower Senegal, Cameroon, and Cote D'Ivoire in Group A.
[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]
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