Mali: Doumbia, Sinayoko, Sangaré… the Eagles launch their season at full speed

Doumbia, the midfielder joining the top scorers

Kamory Doumbia didn’t wait to make his mark. The Brest attacking midfielder has found the back of the net in each of the first three Ligue 1 matchdays. After a goal and an assist against Le Mans, then scoring again against Toulouse, the Malian international struck twice against Le Havre in the third matchday.

Summary: four goals and one assist in three games. His brace especially allowed Brest to secure their first victory of the season (2-1). This performance illustrates the new dimension taken on by the 23-year-old in Brest’s attacking play. With four goals in three matches, Doumbia currently shares the top spot in the Ligue 1 scorers ranking with his compatriot Lassine Sinayoko and the Algerian Amine Gouiri. For a player whose primary role remains that of an attacking midfielder, such effectiveness is clearly a strong statement.

Sinayoko, the thunderbolt at the Vélodrome

Lassine Sinayoko, for his part, chose an even more spectacular stage to confirm his excellent start. Having arrived this summer at Paris FC from AJ Auxerre, the Malian striker netted a hat-trick on Sunday at the home of Olympique de Marseille. It took just 23 seconds for the 26-year-old to open the scoring at the Vélodrome. After scoring again in the second half, Sinayoko finished his masterclass with a penalty in the 86th minute to deliver Paris FC a resounding victory (3-2).

This performance brings his tally to four goals in three Ligue 1 games. More importantly, it allows him to join Doumbia at the top of the scorers’ table. The symbolism is strong for Paris FC, promoted and second in the league after three rounds: their new center-forward is already one of the main attractions at the start of the season in France.

Sangaré, rapid adaptation in the Premier League

Several hundred kilometers away, Mamadou Sangaré is writing another chapter in this Malian start to the season. Having transferred from Lens to Brentford this summer, the 24-year-old midfielder didn’t need much time to settle in England. From the very first Premier League match against Tottenham, Sangaré was in the starting lineup and stood out in the Bees’ 3-0 victory.

In 76 minutes, he notably contributed to the opening goal with an assist, while showing great activity in regaining possession: two tackles, two interceptions, and two clearances. His coach Keith Andrews then praised his performance. A week later, the Malian was again at the heart of Brentford’s play during the draw against Leeds (1-1). Alongside Vitaly Janelt, he formed a particularly effective double pivot. The two men combined for seven tackles and eight interceptions, while Sangaré completed 56 passes—more than any other Brentford player in that match.

His rapid adaptation has certainly not gone unnoticed. After just two games, he was among the eight players nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award for August. With just a few weeks before the next fixtures for the Eagles, this momentum can only be good news for the Malian national team. If the season is still long, the early signs are already particularly encouraging.