Mali Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra Joins Tanzanian Side Yanga

Mali international goalkeeper Djigui Diarra has joined Tanzania Mainland Premier League side Young Africans on a long term deal.

Diarra, who captained Eagles in CHAN 2020 finals in Cameroon, will challenge number one keeper Farouk Shikhalo for a starting place at Kariakoo giants.

The 26-year-old custodian joins from Mali domestic champions Stade Malien, and is remembered for his nomination for 2015 CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year awards.

He made 120 league appearances for Stade Malien after joining from Stade Bamako, having been promoted from the side’s development squad and was captain in 2017 and 2018.

He was previously linked with South African Premier Soccer League side Chippa United but his representative Michel Sinha denied there was interest from the club.

Diarra has won the Malien Premiere Division five times and the Malien Cup on three previous occasions.

The glovesman was part of Mali squad that played at 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup where they reached semi-final, losing to the eventual champions.

He has been Mali’s first-choice goalkeeper for the past four years and has so far earned 46 caps including appearances at the AFCON finals and in World Cup qualifiers.