Mali have been a resurgent force in African football in the past decade, aided by the introduction of a number of French-born players to their armoury.
The likes of strikers Frédéric Kanouté and Jimmy Kébé, as well as midfielder Mohamed Sissoko, have made a big impact on the international scene for The Eagles, but they have also brought through a Golden Generation of home-grown talent too in the form of Seydou Keita, Mamadou Diallo and Adama Coulibaly.
The side’s best finish in a Nations Cup came in their first appearance in the showpiece finals in Cameroon in 1972 when they lost 3-2 in the final to Congo.
Fantamady Keita finished top-scorer at the finals with fine goals and would go on to be one of the first players from his country to forge a successful career in Europe when he joined Rennes in France.
It would be a long 22-year before the team reached their next Nations Cup, but again they did well, finishing fourth in Tunisia.
That fourth-place finish was repeated in the 2002 (which they hosted) and 2004 events, though in their last outing in Ghana in 2008 they disappointed with a first round exit.
They are currently coached by former Nigeria star Stephen Keshi, who led Togo to the 2006 World Cup in Germany before being replaced by Otto Pfister.
Moussa Marega of Mali wins Man of the Match Award during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Marega of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Djenepo of Mali challenged by Bagayoko Mamadou of Ivory Coast during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Last 16 football match between Ivory Coast and Mali at the Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Moussa Djenepo of Mali challenged by Ismael Traore of Ivory Coast during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Last 16 football match between Ivory Coast and Mali at the Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Wilfried Zaha of Ivory Coast scores past Djigui Diarra of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Last 16 football match between Ivory Coast and Mali at the Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
The match officials warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Last 16 football match between Ivory Coast and Mali at the Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Moussa Djenepo of Mali challenged by Bagayoko Mamadou of Ivory Coast during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Last 16 football match between Ivory Coast and Mali at the Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Youssou Kone of Mali challenged by Franck Kessie of Ivory Coast during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Hamari Traoré of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Nicolas Pepe of Ivory Coast challenged by Youssou Kone of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Amadou Haidara of Mali and Die Serey of Ivory Coast during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Djenepo of Mali challenged by Bagayoko Mamadou of Ivory Coast during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Nicolas Pepe of Ivory Coast challenged by Lassana Coulibaly of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Wilfried Zaha of Ivory Coast challenged by Mamadou Fofana of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Jean Pphilippe Gbamin of Ivory Coast challenged by Moussa Djenepo of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Youssou Kone of Mali challenged by Nicolas Pepe of Ivory Coast during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mali players warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Djenepo of Mali warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Marega of Mali warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mali players warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mali players team arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mohamed Magassouba, head coach of Mali arrivels during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mali players team arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mali players team arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mali players team arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mali players team arrivals during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals last 16 match between Mali and Ivory Coast at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 08 July 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Coin Toss during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Players observe moment of silence for former DR Congo striker Pierre Ndaye Mulamba during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Amadou Haidara of Mali celebrates goal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Team line ups during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Falaye Sacko of Mali challenged by Manuel Cafumana Show of Angola during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mali players celebrates with fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Geraldo Da Costa of Angola challenged by Massadio Haidara and Sekou Koita of Mali (12) during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mali fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Lassana Coulibaly of Mali challenged by Djalma Campos of Angola during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Geraldo Da Costa of Angola challenged by Massadio Haidara of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Djalma Campos of Angola challenged by Sekou Koita of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Molla Wague of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Adama Traore Noss of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Amadou Haidara of Mali wins man of the match award during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Amadou Haidara of Mali (4) celebrates goal with teammates during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Amadou Haidara of Mali challenged by Alfredo Ribeiro Fredy of Angola during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Jacinto Gelson Dala of Angola challenged by Falaye Sacko of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mateus Galiano of Angola challenged by Falaye Sacko of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Jacinto Gelson Dala of Angola challenged by Boubacar Kiki Kouyate of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Jacinto Gelson Dala of Angola challenged by Boubacar Kiki Kouyate and Djigui Diarra of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Herenilson de Carmo of Angola shields Adama Traore Noss of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mali team warming up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mali team warming up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match between Angola and Mali at the Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia on the 02 July 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Moussa Marega of Mali wins Total Man of the Match Award during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mali fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Diadié Samassékou of Mali celebrates goal with teammates during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Sliti Naim of Tunisia challenged by Hamari Traoré of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Djenepo of Mali challenged by Ghaylen Chaaleli of Tunisia during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ellyes Joris Skhiri of Tunisia challenged by Lassana Coulibaly and Amadou Haidara of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mali fans during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Djigui Diarra of Mali clears the ball during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Oussama Hadadi of Tunisia during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Wahbi Khazri celebrates goal with Dylan Bronn and Oussama Hadadi of Tunisia during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Djenepo of Mali challenged by Anice Badri of Tunisia during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Marega of Mali challenged by Oussama Hadadi of Tunisia during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ellyes Joris Skhiri of Tunisia challenged by Youssou Kone of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Marega of Mali challenged by Yassine Merriah and Ghaylen Chaaleli of Tunisia during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Youssou Kone of Mali challenged by Anice Badri of Tunisia during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Marega of Mali challenged by Yassine Merriah of Tunisia during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Marega of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Ghaylen Chaaleli of Tunisia challenged by Amadou Haidara of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mali Team picture during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mali change room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mali players arrives during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Tunisia change room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mali change room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Gv general view of the Flag during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Gv general view of the stadium during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Tunisia players arrives during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Tunisia change room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Tunisia change room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Tunisia change room during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Alain Giresse, head coach of Tunisia arrives during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals match between Tunisia and Mali at Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 28 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mamadou Fofana of Mali challenged by Ismael Diakite of Mauritania during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Mali and Mauritania at Suez Army Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 24 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Adama Traore Noss of Mali challenged by Khassa Camara of Mauritania during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Mali and Mauritania at Suez Army Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 24 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Adama Ba of Mauritania challenged by Lassana Coulibaly of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Mali and Mauritania at Suez Army Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 24 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Mohamed Yali Dellahi of Mauritania challenged by Adama Traore Noss of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Mali and Mauritania at Suez Army Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 24 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Diadié Samassékou of Mali challenged by El Hacen El Id of Mauritania during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Mali and Mauritania at Suez Army Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 24 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Adama Ba of Mauritania tackled by Diadié Samassékou of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Mali and Mauritania at Suez Army Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 24 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Abdoulay Diaby of Mali challenged by Adama Ba of Mauritania during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Mali and Mauritania at Suez Army Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 24 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Marega of Mali challenged by Mohamed Yali Dellahi of Mauritania during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Mali and Mauritania at Suez Army Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 24 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Marega of Mali celebrates scoring a penalty with teammates during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Mali and Mauritania at Suez Army Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 24 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Lassana Coulibaly of Mali challenged by El Hacen El Id of Mauritania during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Mali and Mauritania at Suez Army Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 24 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Adama Ba of Mauritania challenged by Molla Wague of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Mali and Mauritania at Suez Army Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 24 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
El Hacen El Id of Mauritania challenged by Lassana Coulibaly of Mali during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Mali and Mauritania at Suez Army Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 24 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Marega of Mali warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Mali and Mauritania at Suez Army Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 24 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Moussa Marega of Mali warm up during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals football match between Mali and Mauritania at Suez Army Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 24 June 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Abdoulay Diaby addresses media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals MaliPress Conference at the Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Abdoulay Diaby (l) and Mohamed Magassouba, coach of Mali address media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals MaliPress Conference at the Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mohamed Magassouba, coach of Mali addresses media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals MaliPress Conference at the Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Mohamed Magassouba, coach of Mali addresses media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals MaliPress Conference at the Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Abdoulay Diaby of Mali addresses media during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals MaliPress Conference at the Suez Stadium, Suez, Egypt on 23 June 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Wilfried KANON of Ivory Coast and Adama NIANE of Mali during the World Cup Qualifier match between Mali and Ivory Coast on the 06 October 2017 at National Stadium,Bamako©BackpagePix
dama TRAORE of Mali and Jean-Philippe GBAMIN of Ivory Coast during the World Cup Qualifier match between Mali and Ivory Coast on the 06 October 2017 at National Stadium,Bamako©BackpagePix
Mali
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