LUANDA (Angola) - Mali advanced to the AfroBasket semifinals for the first time since 1999. Can they go all the way and win their first medal since 1972?
The West Africans had a rocky campaign until they found their rhythm by beating Guinea in the Round of 16 and stunning Côte d'Ivoire in the quarterfinals. Who's next in Saturday's semifinals? Senegal!
Mali had some positives along the way. They rallied from a 15-point deficit against Côte d'Ivoire to reach the final four. However, their 80-70 loss to Senegal keeps them up at night.
Reaching the semifinals in such a competitive tournament with spectacular teams gives Mali a history-changing opportunity to write a new chapter in the men's national team's history.
A group of history-makers can lend a helping hand.
In 2019, Mali made history by becoming the first African nation to reach the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup final after beating France in the semifinals. Although they ultimately lost to the USA, history was made.
Four players from that tournament in Greece are on the Mali team that made it to the 2025 AfroBasket semifinals in Luanda:
Siriman Kanoute, Oumar Ballo, and the twin brothers Fousseyni and Hassan Dramé, as well as head coach Alhadji Dicko, were all part of the Mali U19 team that shocked the world. Can they help Mali make history again, this time in the AfroBasket?
FIBA.basketball chatted with Oumar Ballo, who led the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup in rebounds, blocked shots, and efficiency rating. Ballo was also named to the All-Tournament Team alongside Siriman Kanoute.
Q. Mali has been a dominant force in Africa's youth tournaments. With your country reaching the 2025 AfroBasket semifinals, it seems that your generation is trying to make an impact at the senior level.
A. We have been doing really well with the youth, and lately, it's been the men's team's turn. The federation is doing a good job of following up with young players once they turn pro. This ensures consistency and guarantees that they will return to the national team.
Q. How does Mali's win against title contender Côte d'Ivoire in overtime in the quarterfinals speak to the potential of this team?
A. When it comes to Mali and Côte d'Ivoire it's always a rivalry and we had to get the win because our country has been struggling a lot against Côte d'Ivoire even when it comes to other sports like soccer. We needed that win to prove that Mali is great basketball nation.
Q. It's been almost 30 years since Mali last reached the AfroBasket semifinals. Could you reflect on that?
A. We are a new generation of players who are hungry for wins, and we are winners. We have been winning our whole lives, and now is our time to show the world who we are.
Q. Mali stunned the world at the 2019 U19 World Cup. What has become of that group of players since that historic moment for African basketball?
A. I was part of that generation, and it's been a long road. Guys have been working really hard in different parts of the world to make it happen again. I don't want to talk too much about what comes next because we still have two more games to play. Hopefully, we'll keep this thing rolling.
Q. What is it like to play for Mali's senior team after having such a successful time with the youth teams?
A. This is my first experience with Mali's men's team. I went to college for the past five years, so it was hard to find the right time to play for the national team. I am glad to be back, and I am excited that we are making history.
FIBA