Stade Malien de Bamako

History

Stade Malien has inherited much of the history of Jeanne d'Arc du Soudan, founded in 1938 by two French-Africans and the missionary Révérend Père Bouvier. The name was borrowed from Jeanne d'Arc Dakar, and the white uniforms from the White Fathers, which Stade retain. JA du Soudan was one of the most successful clubs of the pre-independence period, winning the AOF Cup in 1953 and 1956 and reaching the finals in 1951 and 1959 (the last played). They reached the "coupe du Soudan" finals 6 times, winning four years (1950, 1951, 1952, 1955) and losing 2 (1947, 1948). Among their biggest rivals was "Africa Sport" of Bamako, who became Djoliba AC in 1960. JA's most famous players were Mamadou "Coulou" Coulibaly, Seydou Ndaw, Seydou Thiam, Cheick Oumar Diallo, Bacoroba "Baco" Touré, and Oumar Sy.

Espérance de Bamako was founded in 1958 as a student youth club, overseen by Fernand Diarra and captained by the young Bakary Samaké.

At independence, the two Bamako clubs fused, to become Stade Malian de Bamako in 1960. In the first Coupe du Mali, Stade and Djoliba reached the two match final in 1961. Tied 3–3 after the first match, Stade carried the cup 2–1 in the second.

Stade reached the first final of the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1964–65. On 7 February 1965, Stade lost 2–1 to Oryx Douala played at Kumassi Ghana, but is remembered for the great play of star defender Souleymane "Solo" Coulibaly. Other famous early players for the Blancs were Yacouba Samabaly, Bakary Samaké, Sama Bass and Coach Oumar Sy. The great Salif Keita briefly appeared for the club.

During the 1968–91 military dictatorship of Moussa Traoré, many fans of Stade Malien felt that the government unfairly favored Djoliba AC. Heroes of this era include Mamadou Kéita "Capi", Issa Yatassaye, Osumane Farota, Drissa Coulibaly, Abdoulaye Kaloga, Moussa "Gigla" Traoré.

Stade Malien participated in the 1970 cup final and won their third title after defeating Kayésienne (now part of AS Sigui) 10-0 and is the highest cup final result to date.