Young host Mali hopes for upset victory

BAMAKO (Reuters) -- Mali, hosts for the 2002 African Nations Cup, will be fielding a young side of European-based players, hoping to emulate the West African nation's success at junior international level.

Coach Henryk Kasperczak, a member of Poland's 1974 World Cup squad, has named a squad of 22 players with an average age of just 22, ranging from 18 to 27 years old.

Mali fans and media are putting their faith in the manager -- who took Tunisia to the African Nations final in 1996 and the north Africans to the World Cup in France -- and seven key foreign-based players.

Midfielder Seydou Keita, who plays for Lorient in France, will partner captain Soumalia Coulibaly, 23, who plays for Fribourg in Germany. Keita was voted best player when Mali snared third place in the world youth championships in Nigeria three years ago.

Mahamadou Dissa, 22, who plays in France at Niort and was top scorer in the junior World Cup, is expected to lead the attack with two other foreign-based players, Bassala Toure from Athinaikos in Greece and Mamadou Bagayoko, 22, at Strasbourg.

"We are not going to be playing to be seen as we all play in Europe already," said Keita. "We're going to give everything for our country ... we will try to go as far as possible in the competition, and why not lift the trophy?"

The "Eagles" defence is likely to be built around Boubacar Diarra, 23, team mate of captain Coulibaly at Fribourg, and RC Lens youngster Adama Coulibaly.

The team has had mixed fortunes in its preparatory matches, with three wins, three loses and two draws. In its most recent matches Mali sprung an upset with an away win at 1998 champions Egypt in Cairo.

As hosts, Mali play the opening match of the tournament against Liberia and then face Algeria and the much-fancied Nigeria. But with a young, enthusiastic side and home advantage the Eagles could surprise.

 

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