Mali have launched an audacious bid to raise over $5m for their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
The Eagles are drawn in Group B alongside Ghana, Niger and Congo DR.
Recent security problems in the West African state have seen the government declare it’s inability to solely finance Mali’s campaign at the tournament that kicks off on January 19 in South Africa.
Mali’s Ministry of Youth and Sports in partnership with a mobile phone company have thus launched a bid to raise funds to sponsor the team for next year’s event.
The Government will also use part of the proceeds secured from the initiative to sponsor their U-20 side and basketball team for their respective African championships next year.
There is currently a heated debate in Ghana over an $8m budget proposal to government to sponsor the Black Stars at the 2013 AFCON.
A lot of people have kicked against this budget – believing it is too just too much money to spend on one tournament for a country that is still having challenges with basic necessities such as water.
The initiative being taken by the Malian’s can thus serve as a welcome suggestion to Ghana on how to raise the needed funds to power the Black Stars bid at next year’s championships.
Both side’s will battle each other in the second group game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on January 28.