Sawt Falasteen - Mali club hope motorbikes can help drive for CAF Cup glory

Officials at the Bamako club, who have dominated domestic football with neighbours Stade Malien for decades, told reporters they had motivated the squad by presenting 21 motorbikes to players.

But the Djoliba bosses said the gifts came with conditions, including that they must be used exclusively for training and matchdays.

"The bikes must not be used for social activities, or for commercial purposes. We presented the gifts to ensure our boys arrive early for matches and achieve success," an official said.

Motorbikes are a popular mode of transport in many west African countries with the purchase and running of cars beyond the financial reach of most citizens.

Djoliba, who lost 4-3 on aggregate to AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville in the 2012 Confederation Cup final, want to emulate arch rivals Stade, surprise winners of the trophy three years earlier.

However, just getting past the two-round qualifying stage in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League, poses challenges for Djoliba.

Their first opponents, on consecutive weekends in September, will be African debutants Abia Warriors, who finished third in the highly competitive Nigeria Premier Football League.

Should Djoliba win that two-leg tie, they will meet the winners of another west African derby, between USFA of Burkina Faso and AS Gbohloe-Su des Lacs of Togo, for a place in the group phase.

- Cash boost -

Being among the 16 qualifiers for the mini-leagues guarantees each club $400,000 (€345,000), with the prize money progressively rising to $2mn for the winners.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) last season responded to numerous complaints about the high cost of competing in continental competitions by giving qualifying-phase losers $50,000 each.

This has been doubled to $100,000 for the forthcoming campaign -- a huge boost given travel and accommodation costs in a continent where flight options are limited and relatively expensive.

While Djoliba dream of glory, the odds are that the 2025-26 Confederation Cup winners will come from one of four north African countries -- Algeria, Egypt, Morocco or Tunisia.

Clubs from those nations have won 17 of the 22 editions, led by Renaissance Berkane of Morocco and CS Sfaxien of Tunisia with three titles each.

Berkane will not defend a title won last May with a 3-1 overall victory over Simba of Tanzania as they will make a maiden appearance in the CAF Champions League instead.

Twice winners Zamalek of Egypt, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, 2023 title-holders USM Alger and fellow Algerians Chabab Belouizdad are among the clubs who could succeed Berkane.

B.AbuZeid--SF-PST