Competition: | Malian Première Division |
Season: | 2023–24 |
Dates: | 1 November 2023 – May 2024 |
Winners: | Djoliba |
Continentalcup1: | CAF Champions League |
Continentalcup2: | CAF Confederation Cup |
Updated: | 30 November 2023 |
Prevseason: | 2022–23 |
Nextseason: | 2024–25 |
The 2023–24 Malian Première Division is the 57th season of the highest level of professional football in Mali. The season began in November 2023 and will finish in May 2024.
The winners qualify for the 2024–25 CAF Champions League. The 2023–24 Malian Cup winners qualify for the 2024–25 CAF Confederation Cup. The bottom four teams are relegated to the 2024–25 Malian Division 1.
The league consisted of sixteen teams; the top fourteen teams from the previous season, and two teams promoted from Malian Division 1 (US Bougouba and ATS Koro, replacing Lafia Club de Bamako and Yeelen Olympique).[1] AS Real Bamako entered the season as defending champions.
Unlike previous years, there was no reduction in the number of teams in the league, meaning the league remained at 16 teams for this season. However, the Malian Football Federation (Fémafoot) announced that ahead of planned professionalisation in the 2024–25 season, the league will be reduced to 14 teams, meaning the bottom four teams are relegated at the end of the season, with only two being promoted from Division 1.[2] [3]
Due to the refurbishments of the major stadiums in Bamako, namely Stade 26 Mars, Stade Modibo Kéïta and Stade Mamadou Konaté, the league's start was postponed twice from the initial start date of 7 October. The league eventually started on 1 November, with most games taking place at the sports facilities of Bamako-based clubs, rather than the bigger stadiums.[4]