Mali’s Coulibaly reflects on AFCON quarter-final exit

Mali midfielder Lassana Coulibaly says the Eagles will come back stronger after their 1–0 defeat to Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-finals.

The Italy-based midfielder played 82 minutes as Mali were forced to play with a man down for the majority of the tie on Friday night at the Grand Stade de Tanger in Tangier, Morocco.

Coulibaly, 29, told reporters after the loss that the task of facing the Lions of Teranga was immense. “It is difficult to draw conclusions right now, but we are certainly satisfied with what we have done,” said the experienced midfielder.

Coulibaly Reacts to Mali’s AFCON Heartbreak

Captain Yves Bissouma, who plays for Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, was shown his marching orders in the first half as Mali played with a man down. The numerical advantage did play a huge role in Senegal’s deserved victory. “It is always difficult to play ten against eleven, but we are not going to make excuses. Today we fell; we are going to work to come back stronger.”

Mali have failed to reach the last four of the AFCON in the last six editions. The West Africans did reach the semi-finals back-to-back in 2012 and 2013.