Djoliba AC reaffirmed their status as one of Mali’s most successful football clubs after defeating FC Diarra 2-0 to win the 65th edition of the Mali Cup and claim the 21st cup title in their history.
The victory, secured at Bamako’s Mamadou Konaté Stadium on Saturday, marked a significant moment for the Reds, who returned to the top of domestic cup football just one year after suffering disappointment in the final.
Goals from Fodé Touré and Mahamadou Lamine Sissoko ensured Djoliba would lift the trophy once again, strengthening their position among the elite clubs of Malian football and reinforcing their reputation across West Africa.
For supporters of Malian football, the result represents more than a single victory.
It is another chapter in the long history of one of the country’s most decorated clubs and a reminder of Djoliba’s enduring influence on the national game.
The triumph also highlights the continued competitiveness of domestic football in Mali, where historic clubs continue to battle for silverware and continental qualification opportunities.
Djoliba entered the final determined to make amends for the disappointment of the previous year.
In 2025, the club had fallen short in the cup final against their long-time rivals Stade Malien, a defeat that left supporters eager for redemption.
This time, however, the Bamako-based side delivered.
The breakthrough arrived in the 36th minute when Fodé Touré found the net to give Djoliba the advantage.
Just before the interval, Mahamadou Lamine Sissoko doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time, placing the Reds firmly in control of the contest.
Those two goals proved sufficient to secure victory and deny FC Diarra any route back into the match.
The result allowed Djoliba to celebrate a 21st Mali Cup title, further enhancing a trophy collection that has made the club one of the dominant forces in the country’s football history.
The victory also carries significance in the long-running rivalry between Djoliba and Stade Malien.
While Stade Malien remain the competition’s most successful club with 24 titles, Djoliba’s latest triumph narrows the gap and keeps alive the pursuit of another historic benchmark.
Beyond sporting glory, the success also brought financial rewards.
As winners of the competition, Djoliba received a prize of 25 million CFA francs, providing a welcome boost as clubs across Africa continue to seek financial stability and resources for future development.
The trophy was officially presented by Mali’s Prime Minister, Major General Abdoulaye Maïga, following the final whistle.
