Mali duo inspired by Samuel Eto'o, seek junior title

Sidiki Maiga and Boubabcar Traore have been key members of Mali's U17 team at the 11th edition of the CAFU17 championship in Niger. As their Malian Eaglets prepare to take on South Africa's Amajimbos in the final match on Sunday, the duo of the rising and new generation of Malian players are confident of victory and believe that they have the attributes to silence the South African boys.

Boubacar Traore and Sidiki Maiga have scored four goals between them; Traore with three and making him joint leading scorer with Kelechi Nwakali and Victor James, both of Nigeria. Maiga has one but added to the two players' knack for goals is their phenomenal skill, dexterity of their movement and superb partnership which has helped the Eaglets reach the final.

On Sunday, they are looking at nothing but victory.

But beyond Sunday and the FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile later this year, the two young playmakers are looking to follow in the footsteps of African legend Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o.

Boubacar Traore Date of Birth: 24 May 1998 in Bamako (Mali) Current club: Jeanne D'Arc de Bamako

"I really feel very happy to have reached the final as all the players on the team and all the people of Mali. It is a feeling of satisfaction for all of us because we have worked very hard to get there. But now our goal is to take the cup home to Mali."

Without hesitation, I would say the Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o is my role model. For me Eto'o is a complete striker who has all the qualities that I would like to have."

Sidiki Maiga Date of Birth: 28 December, 1998 in Mopti (Mali) Current club: AS Real De Bamako

"I am pleased to have contributed to this qualification to honor my country. Now I'm ready to play well and help my teammates to do well so that we can take the cup to Bamako. It is our goal and we will fight to get there."

"On my career and inspiration, there are very good players that I love because of their qualities. However it is the Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o who comes first. I have watched some of his matches and I like his style of play."