CAN 2024: Mali-Côte d’Ivoire, a match “between brothers” but a semi-final at stake

The CAN 2024 quarter-final which will be played this Saturday February 3 (5 p.m. UT) between Mali and Ivory Coast will be a derby between two neighboring countries very close geographically and culturally. A closeness praised by the main players in the meeting, who hope that the match will be a great celebration even if the stakes of a semi-final could exacerbate tensions.

The Ivorian Jonathan Bamba (orange jersey) fights with the Malian Cheick Doucoure during the Ivory Coast-Mali friendly match, September 12, 2023 at the Alassane-Ouattara stadium in Ebimpé. AFP - SIA KAMBOU

By: Ndiasse Sambe Follow

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From our special correspondent in Bouaké,

Shortly before a match which promises to be hot on the field, in the stands and surely in certain homes in Mali and Ivory Coast, the anthem of brotherhood is currently being sung in Bouaké, venue of the quarter-final between Eagles and Elephants. More than a match, this derby between very close neighbors has a special character given the links between the two countries, the two teams. The coach of Mali, Éric Sékou Chelle, born in Abidjan, showed his emotion at playing against his country of birth at a press conference. “ 

It’s a match full of emotions for me who has origins here. I take great pleasure in being there,

said the Mali coach.

It’s a match between two sister countries linked by DNA

.”

Read alsoCalendar and results of CAN 2024

Éric Chelle will certainly not be the only one to be shaken by emotion this Saturday. Among his players, Yves Bissouma, born 27 years ago in the popular district of Youpougon, in Abidjan, will certainly have a pang in his heart. Just like Nene Dorgeles, born in Kayes to Ivorian parents. Opposite, some Elephants could have played for the opposing team. Seko Fofana, for example, has long been courted by Mali because of the supposed origins of his parents from the village of Landibou, in the Kayes region.

Calmed climate between Bamako and Yamoussoukro

The ties between the two neighboring countries are centuries-old. Thousands of Malian nationals live in Ivorian towns like Korhogo, close to the Malian border, or Bouaké where many traders from all regions of Mali operate.

Political relations have sometimes been tense and the last tense episode is still fresh in memories with

the affair of the 46 Ivorian soldiers

who were detained in Mali. The climate has softened between Bamako and Yamoussoukro since then, but some still fear that the passion will boil over and be a source of tension between supporters.

This Thursday, February 1, the Mali embassy in Ivory Coast invited its nationals “ 

not to give in to provocation (…) and to always keep in mind the age-old bonds of fraternity and friendship which have always existed between the two countries and the two peoples

.

“ 

Kissing at the end of this match

 ”

The two coaches also called for fraternity, peace and fair play. “ 

This match between two brother countries, in the Peace Stadium, is symbolic,”

insists Éric Chelle

. Both teams must emerge from it stronger and we must be able to hug each other at the end of this match

. » In the same tone, Emerse Faé, “friend” of Chelle, “ 

wants the match to take place as fair-play as possible

”.

Football in all this? Ivory Coast advances into this quarter-final with the confidence gained during its

qualification against Senegal

. She may have found herself, in any case, in her initial ambition to win the CAN that she is organizing.

Emerse Faé has remobilized his troops, and if time does not allow him to find an identity in the game, he will once again count on the pride of his foes to slow down the Malians. Will this be enough? Because Éric's Eagles arrive in Bouaké escorted by more certainties in the game, with a high-level midfielder who should delight in the midfield. This promises to be a great game of football. A great party between neighbors…

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