Mali looks like U23 side and not U17 says Iran U17 coach

Head Coach of the Iranian u17 side has accused Mali if age cheating at the ongoing U17 world cup in India.

Iran were last Tuesday trashed 5-1 by Mali during the round of 16 match between both sides.

Hadji Drame, Lassana N’Diaye, Fode Konate and Seme Camara were on the score sheet in the match dominated by Mali.

"They sometimes look like they are an U-23 team and not in the same category as us (U-17),” said Al-Rubaye in the aftermath of the match. 

“It’s quite visible in the way they play, the way they shoot and their abilities, like speed and physicality.

“It's unfair sometimes because there is a big difference between African teams and others.”

Yet Mali coach Jonas Komla shrugged off any insinuations that his side may be fielding overage players.

''In football, it is important to accept the results. In a tournament of this stature, there are clear rules and testing for every player is performed before the World Cup. We have passed all the required tests and guidelines, so you have to accept it,” said Komla.