Mali hopes to benefit from Diarra success

BAMAKO (Reuters) -- German-based defender Boubacar Diarra has only a handful of games for his native Mali but his form is likely to be key to the hosts' chances in the African Nations Cup finals.

The 22-year-old has proven wildly popular at SC Freiburg, where he has been a regular competitor since moving from his native Mali aged just 18, and enjoyed rave reviews for his performances in the Bundesliga this season.

Diarra, who is married with a young child, signed for Freiburg from Bamako club Djoliba in 1997.

At almost the same time, he debuted for the national team in a 1998 Nations Cup qualifier against Algeria but club commitments have seen him win only 11 more caps since.

Diarra is one of two Malians at Freiburg with midfielder Soumailia Coulibaly also included in the squad for the Nations Cup finals.

The majority of the squad come from clubs in Europe. Diarra has missed just two matches for Freiburg this season and will likely total up 100 Bundesliga career appearances soon after returning from the Nations Cup finals.

 

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