Coulibaly to rely on foreign-based Mali players
BAMAKO (2016 FIBA U17 World Championship) - Mali head coach Zoumana Coulibaly will be relying on a contingent of foreign-based players when the African nation makes its debut at the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship.
Coulibaly nominated five players playing in the United States on his preliminary 15-man roster for the U17 Worlds, where the team was drawn into Group B with Argentina, Lithuania and Spain.
| Mali 15-player squad for 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship | |||
| Abdoul Karim Coulibaly | N'Faly Dante | Kassim Diallo | Mahamadou Diawara |
| Aboubacar Kassim Djire | Kassoum Doumbia | Fousseyni Drame | Hassan Drame |
| Lassana Haidara | Blaise Keita | Makan Keita | Mohamed Maiga |
| Harouna Sissoko | Moulaye Mamadou Sissoko | Boubacar Toure | |
"The backbone of our team is made up of foreign-based players, and I hope they will be injury free and ready for the tournament," said Coulibaly.
The five players are: Abdoul Karim Coulibaly, who plays in Maryland near Baltimore and Washington D.C.; Alabama-based Dante N'Faly and Mahamadou Diawara; and twin brothers Fousseyni and Hassan Drame, who play in New York.
Abdoul Karim Coulibaly and the Drame twins are three of the four 2000-born players on the coach's preliminary squad with Aboubacar Kassim Djire being the other one. N'Faly meanwhile was born in 2001.
Zoumana Coulibaly knows his Mali team will not have it easy in their debut appearance on the world stage.
"I am aware that we will face a huge task as we have tough opponents in the group," said the play caller. "This is the highest level tournament for this age category. I know that the other teams are fast and good at shooting. I am working to find the best defensive system against them."
The coach included all 12 players from the runners-up team at the 2015 FIBA Africa U16 Championship in his provisional 15-man list with the Drame twins and N’Faly being new to the group.
We are considered the underdogs of our group because it is our first appearance at the FIBA U17 World Championship, unlike our opponents. We know that it will not be easy, but we will all try our best to show that we are not there just as tourists. - Sissoko
"Mali can make history in Zaragoza on the condition that we respect our preparation plan," Zoumana Coulibaly added.
One of Mali's main leaders will be Moulaye Mamadou Sissoko, who averaged 12.4 points and 11 rebounds last summer.
"We are considered the underdogs of our group because it is our first appearance at the FIBA U17 World Championship, unlike our opponents. We know that it will not be easy, but we will all try our best to show that we are not there just as tourists," he said. "I am confident because we have what it takes for a great performance."
FIBA
