AFRICAN SPORTS MONTHLY
'Sports is our Business'
  • Home
  • NEWS
  • Radio
  • TV

AfroBasket 2015 - Team Profile: Mali

8/6/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Republic of Congo v Mali, Day 6 of the 2013 FIBA Africa Championship in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, 25 August, Preliminary Round

BAMAKO (AfroBasket 2015) - In the lead-up to AfroBasket 2015, we take a closer look at all 16 participating teams competing in the championship running from 19-30 August.

Team: Mali
FIBA Ranking Men: 
62nd
Last participation in the AfroBasket:
2013 (1 win, 4 defeats; 15th-place)
Best result in the history of the AfroBasket: Third-place in 
1972
Qualified for AfroBasket 2015 -
Double win over Africa Zone 2 opponent Senegal.

History/Qualification: Over the course of the past few decades Mali became one of the tough competitors in the history of the African basketball tournament, however, in recent years they paid the price for failing to bring together their best players.

A decade ago, they accomplished a seventh-place, but have struggled to improve that mark since then.

And a couple of years ago, Mali missed out direct qualification for the AfroBasket 2013 after a disappointing campaign in Zone 2 qualifier, having finished third behind Senegal and Cape Verde, but were awarded a wild card invitation to participate in the 16-team tournament held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, where they finished a modest 15th.

Meanwhile, their best accomplishment at AfroBasket over the past four plus decades was a third-place finish accomplished in 1972.

In the attempt to live up to their reputation, new head coach Sylvain Lautie and the country’s Basketball Federation instilled new programming.

They started up their preparations earlier than they usually do in Bamako, and have played a number a number of warm-up games against Cote d’Ivoire and Algeria.

Early this year, Mali knocked out Senegal in a two-leg qualifier, securing direct qualification for this year’s AfroBasket.

Key Player: Mohamed Tangara has become an inspirational leader on and off the court for his young teammates. Playing professional basketball overseas hasn’t prevented the the 31-year-old center from returning home and joining his national team during the qualifiers against Senegal.

Two years ago, the 2.09m center averaged just over nine points and 4.8 rebounds per game for a short-handed Mali side.

Sorely Missed: Modibo Niakate has not missed a continental championship since making his senior debut for Mali in 2001, but the 34-year-old was not part of Mali’s preliminary squad.

Rising Star: Namory Boundy did a bit of everything for Mali in Abidjan two years ago, - including a game-high 21 points in a 74-59 defeat to Nigeria.

This time around the 25-year-old, who plays for Rueil Athletic Club in France's NM1 (third division), could be a valuable asset for the Western Africans.

Outlook: The selection of Ludovic Chelle should give Mali’s dynamism at the point guard position, but they will need a good start in the tournament where thy will take on Cameroon, Egypt and Gabon in Group C.

In just six words: Seeking best result in a decade
By: FIBA.com

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Menu

    All
    2014 FIFA World Cup
    Athletics
    Basketball
    Boxing
    Commonwealth Games
    Cricket
    Golf
    Hockey
    Marathons
    News
    Olympics
    Rugby
    Soccer
    Spotlight
    Tennis
    Track And Field
    Volleyball
    Women Soccer
    Wrestling


    Picture

    RSS Feed


    Tweets by ASMONTHLY

Tweet to @ASMONTHLY

Contact Us

    Contact Us

Submit

Donate & Support Our Efforts at African Sports Media Network