Mali have named a 25-player squad for the upcoming Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, with head coach Mamadou Traoré Dimba selecting a group composed entirely of players developed within the country’s football academies.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Morocco from 13 May to 2 June 2026, where Mali will compete in Group C alongside Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Coach Dimba announced his final squad on Saturday, reaffirming his commitment to nurturing homegrown talent. All 25 players selected come from local development centres, underlining a strategy focused on strengthening the national pipeline from within.
The squad includes three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and eight forwards, offering a balanced selection ahead of the continental competition.
Among the goalkeepers chosen are Abderrazak Coulibaly of Football Mali Koura Club, Ibrahim Diarra from Stade Sportif Bamako and Cheick Omar Diarra of Diarra Club.
In defence, the coach has called upon Adama Kouyaté of Racing Club de Mali and Cheickna Hamala Coulibaly from Football Academy Sirifla, alongside Cheick Omar Marko of the Boubacar Baba Diarra Center. They are joined by Salia Diarra of Africa Foot, Youssouf Sylla from Africa Football Elite, Makan Sacko of Guidars FC and Mohamed Sidibé from Mandingue Stars.
The midfield options include Amadou Doumbia of Yeleen Olympique and Famanian Diallo from Derby FC. Abdallah Daba Samaké and Ismaël Kamissoko, both from Mandingue Stars, are also included, along with Aboubacar Maïga of Africa Foot. Halidou Alhassane Maïga from Africa Football Elite and Sadou Touré of Binga FC complete the midfield line-up.
In attack, Mali will rely on a group of eight forwards, including Fousséni Sidibé from Bamako Sports Center and Mohamed Ebenezer Sogodogo of Football Mali Koura Club. Ibrahim Diarra of Stade Malien Bamako and Namory Koumaré from Guidars FC are also among the attacking options. The forward line is further strengthened by Djigué Kouyaté of Guidars FC, Abdallah Touré from Bétone Armée Club, Alhassane Adama Maïga of Revolution Foot Africa and Daouda Traoré from Baro Diallo Sikasso.
The selection reflects a clear emphasis on domestic development, with the coaching staff placing trust in players who have progressed through Mali’s academy system rather than looking abroad.
Mali will begin their campaign in Group C, where they face a competitive set of opponents in Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania. The team will be aiming to make a strong impression as they seek success in the tournament and continue their tradition of producing talented young footballers on the African stage.
