Mali FA explains withdrawal from playing Copper Queens in 2024 Olympics qualifiers
The Copper Queens were scheduled to face Mali in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifiers on October 23 in Bamako, but the hosts withdrew from the competition.
Mali Women's National Team. (Picture via FB/Fédération Malienne de Football)
The Mali Football Federation has explained the reasons for the withdrawal of their women’s national team from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers.
Last week, the Copper Queens won a walkover to the third round of the Olympic Games qualifiers following Mali’s withdrawal.
Mali were scheduled to take on the Copper Queens on October 23 in Bamako. The return leg was supposed to be played in Zambia a week later.
However, explaining their withdrawal from the competition, the Malian FA has said, “The decision [by the FA] to forfeit the Paris 2024 Olympics was arrived at as a result of the women’s team progression to the next round of the WAFCON Morocco 2024.
“The Malian state will not be able to meet all expenses for the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifiers.
“And that’s not all: Mali’s international competition schedule has also been analyzed. The Eagles of Mali will be taking part in a number of international events. The Cadet Eagles (Mali’s U17 Men’s Teams) will be taking part in the U17 World Cup in Indonesia.
“And as for the seniors, they will be taking part in the AFCON Cote d’Ivoire,” read part of the statement.
Bernard Chisha Nkweto Jr. is a Zambian journalist, football writer, and sports presenter. He interned at Zambia National Broadcaster (ZNBC TV 1), where he covered sports for the main news and hosted TV shows. He currently works as a reporter for BolaNews.
