Mali U22 beat Indonesia U22 3-0, Sekou Kone impressed.
Mali U22 beat Indonesia U22 3-0; Doucore, Samake, and Haidara scored. Sekou Kone (Man Utd) scored in the 63rd minute, receiving praise from coach Fousseni Diawara; the two teams will meet again on November 17th.
An early goal in the 5th minute opened the scoring in a friendly match at Pakansari Stadium, Bogor Regency on the evening of November 16, 2025. Mali U22 defeated Indonesia U22 3-0 thanks to goals from Sekou Doucore, Wilson Samake, and Moulaye Haidara. Sekou Kone, a talented player from Manchester United, came on in the 63rd minute and received direct praise from coach Fousseni Diawara after the match.
Match developments: an early goal shaped the course of the game.
Mali U22 took the lead in the 5th minute thanks to a shot from Sekou Doucore, giving them a clear psychological advantage. In the 34th minute, Wilson Samake doubled the lead, allowing the visitors to completely control the game. As Indonesia U22 pushed for a consolation goal, Moulaye Haidara sealed the 3-0 victory in the 90+2 minute.
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| 5 | Sekou Doucore opened the scoring for Mali U22. |
| 34 | Wilson Samake increased the score to 2-0. |
| 63 | Sekou Kone came on as a substitute for Niama Pape Sissoko. |
| 90+2 | Moulaye Haidara sealed the 3-0 victory. |
Sekou Kone and a positive sign for Man Utd.
Coming on in the 63rd minute, the 19-year-old defensive midfielder continued to be closely monitored during the U22 training camp. Kone was a member of the Mali U17 team that finished third at the 2023 U17 World Cup with two assists. He joined Manchester United U21 in August 2024 from Guidars FC (Mali), then was promoted to the first team and was named in the reserve squad for the 2024/2025 Premier League matches against Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, and Nottingham Forest.
Coach Fousseni Diawara's reaction
In the post-match press conference, the Mali U22 coach praised his players: “Regarding Sekou Kone, who plays for Manchester United, he is a promising player with many good qualities. Like the other players in the team, he has many opportunities to develop. He is playing for a big club that is very popular in Indonesia, Man Utd.”
Impact and rematch schedule
The 0-3 defeat was a crucial test for the Indonesian U22 team ahead of their rematch against Mali U22 on November 17th, also at Pakansari Stadium. Coach Indra Sjafri affirmed that he will improve the players' fitness to be ready for the 33rd SEA Games. In the long term, the Indonesian U22 team aims for the 2025 SEA Games with a plan to assemble the best possible squad, including talented players playing abroad, to increase their competitiveness.
Selective statistics
- Score: U22 Indonesia 0-3 U22 Mali
- Goals: Doucore 5'; Samake 34'; Haidara 90+2'
- Notable substitution: Sekou Kone in the 63rd minute.
- Kone's youth achievements: third place at the 2023 U17 World Cup, 2 assists.
- Current club: Joined Manchester United U21 in August 2024; named as a reserve in the Premier League 2024/2025 (Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Nottingham Forest)
