Kone in line for senior Mali call-up
Manchester United’s young midfielder Sekou Kone is in line for a senior Mali call-up, according to Tom Saintfiet, manager of Les Aigles.
However, after discussions within the international set-up, Saintfiet said, it was decided that Sekou would play at the ongoing Maurice Revello Tournament, a prestigious Under-20 competition in which Kone’s nation are pitted against Panama, France and Saudi Arabia in the group stages.
Previously known as the Toulon Tournament and founded in 1967, the event is sure to allow Kone to gain fantastic experience in France.
He came off the bench after 77 minutes with Mali trailing 2-0 to Panama on Tuesday afternoon, and put in a bright performance. A clever touch after winning back possession drew a powerful challenge from Jose Alfredo Marengo Armuelles, who was duly sent off.
In the final minute of normal time, Kone delivered an excellent free-kick, which Wilson Samake headed in to reduce the deficit.
Despite Kone’s impact, Mali could not complete the comeback and now face a tough challenge to progress to the latter stages.
Nevertheless, Kone’s United team-mates can tell him the significance of the competition beyond winning. Alejandro Garnacho impressed for Argentina in the 2022 edition, while Matheus Cunha — for whom a deal has been agreed, subject to visa and registration — was Player of the Tournament in 2019. Back in 2014, Bruno Fernandes represented Portugal, while playing for Udinese.
Kone will hope to start and show what he can do in the remaining group stage fixtures, against France (Friday 6 June) and Saudi Arabia (Monday 9 June).
It may well be his final opportunity with Mali’s youth sides. Senior coach Saintfiet told reporters on Tuesday that Kone is one of two young players in the squad, alongside Barcelona’s Ibrahim Diarra, who will soon join the national side.
In fact, both players were in line for their debuts before an agreement was made to allow the pair to represent Mali in Toulon.
So there’s plenty to look forward to for 19-year-old Kone, who joined United from Guidars in his homeland last August and has developed well with Travis Binnion’s Under-21s.
He also made the senior substitutes' bench on three occasions for Premier League fixtures, and was part of the post-season tour squad, playing in games against the ASEAN All-Stars and Hong Kong, China.
Good luck for the rest of the tournament, Sekou!