Tout Puissant Mazembe

Mali its Malian Stadium and TPM have a little history in common. The coach Patrice CARTERON and 4 players Cheibane TRAORE, Ousmane CISSE, Alou BAGAYOKO, Boubacar DIARRA, and even a fifth one, Salif COULIBALY (recently arrived in the club but not qualified for the match ) will enjoy a special atmosphere. They find what was there a few months ago for some and three years for Cheibane TRAORE the country and the club have revealed them.

The former center-forward of Malian Stadium Cheibane TRAORE, gave us his perception of the two semi-finals against his former club: "When I learned that it was the Stade Malien we would face in semi- final, many memories are immediately crossing through my mind. I have experienced great fortunes with Stade winning the CAF Cup in 2009 before losing the Super Cup in Lubumbashi against the TPM. Very young, it was pretty special to play in Stade Malien. At the time, I did not really know how to grow professionally, but now I am in a club that believes in me, with a coach who trusts me”. Upon finding the stadium he left Bamako since 2010 Cheibane TRAORE admits in half- words not to know what reception to expect.

"Patrice CARTERON is beloved in Mali"

Patrice CARTERON former coaches of the Eagles of Mali will he booed by Malian supporters for joining TPM today the opponent of Stade malien? «In Mali, there are honest people who love Coach Patrice CARTERON. He did many things in a very short period of time with the national team finishing the third in AFCON 2013. Malian fans are fair play and peaceful but there are always some who want to harm him for leaving our national team. These are the realities of football. I do not think they hate us, the coach and me for leaving Stade Malien. I am convinced that we will be welcomed”.

Five Malians among Crows ...

"I grew up in Stade Malien and got flourished in TPM"

Very excited for this reunion, Cheibane TRAORE is more talkative when it comes to speak about his former club : "I 'm very happy to see my former teammates . I am still in contact with several players like goalkeeper Soumaila DIAKITE , Coulibaly Mamadou Lamine Diawara with whom I played in Stadium at that time and I also know the best current player Abdoulaye Sissoko team ... " He says . " Of course we will meet each other a few minutes before the game and especially after the game. But on the pitch there will be no gift. "

The game of comparison, Cheibane TRAORE did not find similarities between the two opponents, «the TPM where I play today is ranked among the best African even if it plays the CAF Cup this year. Its facilities are professional even players are aspiring top-level football. While Stade Malien not among the African elite. He is a little familiar with young players who do at least every season something to take the team one step further in CAF Cup. There is no picture but be careful, the players of Stade will put in all their energies so that they speaks of them. They will fight throughout the game to make fall the TPM which is a reference. I know, up to us to be united and well prove our class. In Mazembe, there are great players who can make difference outside."

«Correct balance outside...»

As a final word, Cheibane TRAORE gave this little analysis full of common sense: "To reach the final, depending on the result that we will bring from Bamako. This season, the results of matches played outside do not plead for us, while at home nobody can tame us. Why we will work hard during training in Accra to correct everything. It is now the final phase, we must prepare well and do it with will. The fans expect a positive result from Bamako. "

Amongst the five players of the Stade Malien in the Ravens workforce, only two had put on the jersey of Malian Stadium before moving to TPM: Cheibane TRAORE and Ousmane CISSE.