Mali coach Alain Giresse has revealed the Eagles squad that will do international duty in friendly matches against Ghana and Gabon.
Frenchman Giresse has made his return to the Mali as coach, signing a new deal last week. He was previously in charge of the Malians in 2012, when he was able to earn a third place finish at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
His first task upon his return to the national team setup was to pick a squad for friendly matches against strong West African opposition, including the Black Stars of Ghana, who ended the 2015 Nations Cup campaign as runners up to Cote D’Ivoire.
Mali take on Gabon at the Stade Pierre Brisson on March 28 before facing Ghana at the Stade Charlety on March 31.
Reports in the local media suggest that Giresse’s contract officially begins in April, so it is not clear whether he will be on the bench for the two encounters, or if Amadou Pathe Diallo will guide the Eagles for those games.
In terms of the squad itself, Giresse’s influence was present, as he chose the players who would take part, including two uncapped individuals, Club Sport striker Moussa Marega and Lille attacker Adama Traore.
These matches will be used to prepare his team for the upcoming qualification campaigns for the 2017 AFCON and 2018 World Cup, with the first qualifying matches for those tournaments beginning in June and October respectively.
Full Mali Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mamadou Samassa (Guingamp, France), Soumaïla Diakité (Esteghlal Khuzestan, Iran), Aly Yirango (Guingamp, France)
Defenders: Drissa Diakite (Bastia, France), Molla Wagué (Udinese, Italy), Adama Tamboura (Randers, Denmark), Idrissa Coulibaly (Hassania Agadir, Morocco), Mohamed O.Konaté (Renaissance Berkane, Morocco), Kalifa Traore (SCO Angers / France)
Midfielders: Seydou Keita (Roma, Italy), Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton, England), Tongo Hamed Doumbia (Toulouse, France), Yacouba Sylla (Erciyesspor, Turkey), Mamoutou N’Diaye (Zulte Waregem, Belgium) Sambou Yattabaré (Guingamp, France), Abdou Traore (Bordeaux, France), Samba Sow (Karabüksport, Turkey)
Forwards: Abdoulaye Diaby (Lille, France), Cheick Diarra Fantamady (Auxerre, France), Modibo Maiga (Metz, France), Mana Dembele (Nancy / France), Moussa Marega (Club Sport / Portugal), Adama Traore (Lille / France)
