U-17 AFCON: Diallo calls for focus as Mali prepare for Morocco showdown

Mali U-17 national team head coach Adama Diéfla Diallo said their plan is to win the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations final. Mali reached the final after overcoming one of the title favorites and neighbors Burkina Faso. The Eagles boast a strong attack and midfield as they hope to claim the U-17 AFCON title from hosts Morocco.

Diallo, 38, stated that reaching the final has always been the only goal for Mali. “It is a feeling of joy. When we left my Mali, the goal was to go as far as possible in this competition. So, playing in the final is already a great pleasure. But reaching the final is one thing and winning it is another. I am looking forward to the final.”

The morale-boosting win over Burkina Faso is now forgotten and Diallo’s charges are now focused on the final against Morocco:

“The team is feeling really good. After the match against Burkina Faso, we already told the players to quickly move on from this game. It was great to reach the final but now we have to focus on trying to win it. So, we told them to shift their focus to this match and the one after. Because it is always the same — when they win, there is euphoria, they dance, they scream. We want to give everything. So, we have to put that aside quickly and remind ourselves there’s an important match coming up. We cannot lose sight of it.”

Diallo was bold enough to call out Morocco fans and their use of lasers on opponents. Ivorian players were subjected to laser attacks during their semi-final defeat to the hosts:

“We are a little sad over the laser. Rest assured it won’t have the same impact as it did against Ivory Coast. But we are happy it turned out this way. Even though we know it might still be there, we are ready to deal with whatever comes.”

Mali have reached their fourth U-17 AFCON final. The two-time FIFA U-17 World Cup finalists won the U-17 AFCON twice, in 2015 and 2017.