Cheltenham Town youngster, Mamadou Diallo opened up about how he uses his leadership qualities to support his team-mates ahead of the Young Robins clash against Reading in the FA Youth Cup.
The 17-year-old goalkeeper has been an ever-present on the bench for the first team for the last two seasons and is using this experience to support his teammates on their Youth Cup run, which continues on Wednesday.
“I feel like it does help them massively.
“As a goalkeeper you can see the whole pitch, so you can almost talk to your young defenders and help them through the game, who don’t have as much experience in the as I do.
“With Sops [Sopuruchukwu Obieri] up front as well, who has had experience at Gloucester City. He has that physicality of men’s football, so when the ball goes long into him it’s more likely to stick, which was vital for our win in the last round.”
Into the hat for the second round 🎩
— Cheltenham Town (@CTFCofficial) October 29, 2025
A great result for our young Robins in the #FAYouthCup last night!#ctfc♦️ pic.twitter.com/QoTLnsSPZr
To get to this stage, Diallo’s team had to overcome a strong Cardiff City side 1-0 in a closely fought encounter in South Wales.
It was a game in which Diallo was “delighted” to get through, against a higher ranked team in the competition.
“It was a brilliant feeling. It was something the boys were eyeing up.
“When we saw the draw and it was Cardiff we knew it was a big opportunity against a good side to express ourselves and show how good we are and once we got it over the line everyone was delighted.”
All eyes are now on Wednesday, when the Young Robins travel to the Select Car Leasing Stadium to take on Reading in another test for Diallo and his team.
“I think it will be a massive test for us and it’s a challenge that we all want to face, and we see it as another opportunity to beat a higher ranked team in a big stadium, which will be a great experience.”
A trip to Reading awaits for our young Robins in the second round of the #FAYouthCup 🏆
— Cheltenham Town (@CTFCofficial) October 31, 2025
Second round ties will be played by Saturday 22nd November!#ctfc♦️ | @CTFCYofficial https://t.co/xWLYFlks7K
It has been a breakthrough campaign for the young goalkeeper, who signed his first professional contract last season, and made his first senior appearance in the Vertu Trophy against Plymouth Argyle in September.
“It was another good and important experience for me, being 17 and facing up against higher League One opposition.
“The first couple minutes weren’t what I would’ve wanted but once I got used to the level I began to feel comfortable in the environment and now for me it’s all about kicking on.”
A penalty save on debut for Mamadou Diallo in our first group stage game ⏪#ctfc♦️ pic.twitter.com/fGywqD40CN
— Cheltenham Town (@CTFCofficial) October 7, 2025
Diallo isn’t keen on stopping there though and has a few targets he has set his eyes on for the rest of the season.
“I want to keep progressing as a player, that’s the most important for me to keep on top of everything and improving each day.
“I didn’t get the chance to do it last year, but I want to make my league debut, it’s something I would want to achieve but it depends on our circumstances as a team.”
