It had
been difficult to predict how the young and recently untested Malian team
would perform under the pressure of the home crowds. And the first match
they began with a constructive attacking game but a little nervous as well.
And almost the whole
tournament might have had taken a different course if not to the very good
teamwork great individual talent added in the Malian squad. Like Seydou
Keita who provided the late equaliser against Liberia, later Bassala Touré
decided the quarter final match against South Africa by an individual effort.
Mali convinced through
their good midfield work, well organised and strong in one against one.
They even were able to achieve slight midfield domination against Nigeria
but saw their limits against the superstrong Cameroon Lions.
In attack they had
their problems converting their game into clearcut chances and in defence
they did not always look invincible, especially against fast attacks and
through balls.
It has to be hoped
that Mali can build up on this to develop a team after the Senegalese
role model rather than to follow other examples where promising approaches
more or less deterioted.
It is also in the hand
of the players: Several of them (Seydou Keita, Bassala Toure, goalkeeper
Sidibe, midfielder Soumaila Coulibaly, and defensive midfielder Diarra,
defenders Diarra, Adama Coulibaly) might have attracted the curiosity of
bigger European clubs and they must avoid danger of signing oversized engagements.
Too often African players sit on the bench of clubs who are rather securing
rights or underestimate the problem of National team obligations. Senegals
players are all first team regulars in a very competitive league, the Fench
one. One of the secrets of their success. |