Stade Rochelais Basket: Ibrahima Cherif Haidara reflects on his historic summer with Mali
Ibrahima Haidara (6’9″, 32 years old), who returned to La Rochelle this summer after a season with Nantes, experienced an extraordinary summer. As captain of the Malian national team, the 32-year-old power forward won a historic silver medal at AfroBasket, an achievement that moved an entire nation.
A return to Charente-Maritime marked by AfroBasket
Before returning to Gaston-Neveur hall this Friday (8pm) against Champagne Basket, Haidara is still savoring his incredible summer adventure. With Mali, he reached the AfroBasket final in Angola, giving his country its first continental podium finish since 1972. « This journey is the biggest achievement of my career, » he told Sud-Ouest.
A golden generation led by their captain
Long hindered by injuries or schedules conflicting with his career in China, Haidara finally experienced his major international competition. He mentored a young generation that was already U19 World Cup runner-up in 2019. After serious preparation in Turkey, Mali achieved successive victories: eliminating Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals, defeating Senegal in the semi-finals, and making a historic qualification for the final.
Emotions that transcend sports
The final against Angola left a bitter taste, but the essential was elsewhere. The return to Bamako was triumphant: drums at the airport, parade to the stadium, tearful supporters. « People were crying… We stayed in Bamako for two days, it was incredible, » he recalls.
Focus now on La Rochelle
While the Malian adventure will remain a defining moment in his career, Haidara now wants to focus on Stade Rochelais. After winning the Pro B championship in 2024, the club aims to continue growing and will count on his experience and energy to energize Gaston-Neveur this season.
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