Ibrahima Koné, a boosted Malian Eagle with the Hakes of Lorient
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Arrived in Lorient this winter, Ibrahima Koné impresses for his debut in Ligue 1. In 9 games, the 22-year-old Malian has already scored five times, including a double on Friday evening against Saint-Etienne (6-2). The Eagle gives air to his club, struggling to maintain and hovers on his good dynamics of the CAN.
» Ibrahimaaaaaa… Kone! « . Twice, the Moustoir announcer shouted on Friday evening. And the Lorient supporters, who took over in chorus, too. Opening the 31st day of Ligue 1, the Malian Eagle flew over the meeting, for a 6-2 card from his team against Saint-Etienne.
However, the start of the match was frustrating for Ibrahima Koné, his team quickly finding themselves trailing 2-0. The 22-year-old striker started with a goal disallowed for a very borderline offside and an almost decisive pass for Terem Moffi, his Nigerian partner in attack. But Ibrahima Koné did well to persist: a first goal from the left before the break to equalize with two everywhere, then a second, from his same strong foot, to fly away in the second half.
An almost perfect game for him: two goals from two shots, making him one of the most effective strikers in Ligue 1. After a well-deserved standing ovation when he left in the 88th minute, the young double scorer, confided in a shy smile his satisfaction at the microphone of the broadcaster of the meeting: “ It was a great night, I scored twice and the team won. I’m happy with myself and the team, it was wonderful « .
From the Olympic Club of Bamako to the French Ligue 1
A beautiful story that confirms an express adaptation for this native of Bamako: trained at the Olympic Club, he left Mali in 2018 and flew to Europe, where he confirmed his qualities as a scorer, first in Norway then in France. . With this double against Saint-Etienne, there he is at 5 goals in only 9 games with Lorient, to which are added 8 achievements in only 11 selections with Mali, which he joined in September 2021. A golden eagle who has become a serial scorer who impresses Patrick Juillard, Radio Foot consultant.
» He arrived in Lorient this winter from Sarpsborg in Norway, where he had a full season: 11 goals in 30 games. He took a step on this occasion and became international. With the Eagles, Ibrahima Koné quickly imposed himself: we remember in particular his penalties at the CAN (3 achievements in this exercise in Cameroon), but he has other qualities », Underlines this specialist in African football. » He is a tall player (1.90m), quite massive, but very fast and capable of making good calls. His physical presence in the area is very interesting, which makes him a very complete attacker. I’m quite surprised by how quickly it adapts. »
After a thunderous debut in the Malian selection, the one nicknamed « Bouraba » (« Grand Boura » in Bambara, as he himself confided to our colleagues from the Telegram) experienced two first disappointments: an elimination in 8th of the CAN final against Equatorial Guinea and non-qualification for the World Cup after the defeat in the play-off against Tunisia (0-1 in the first leg in Bamako, 0-0 in the return in Radès).
There are therefore a few weeks left for this Eagle, which quickly became Hake, to shine this season. Ibrahima Koné still has seven games ahead of him to confirm his effectiveness and help his club Lorient (16th) to stay in Ligue 1.
