Premier League players, Moussa Djenepo (Southampton, England) and Yves Bissouma (Brighton, England) are named in the Mali Afcon 2021 squad.
Mali coach, Mohamed Magassouba has announced a 28-man squad for Afcon 2021 with one goal in mind, to be crowned African champions, Magassouba said while unveiling the squad list.
The squad features Mali high profile players like Moussa Djenepo who plays for Southampton, England, Amadou Haidara, RB Leipzing, El Bilal Touré, Reims, Hamara Traoré, Rennes, and Diadié Samassekou, Hoffenheim.
Ibrahima Koné, Sarsporg is also included in the squad, which the Malians will be counting on to bring in the goals just as he did in the second round of the 2022 world cup qualifiers, scoring five goals.
The squad also features the Brighton Midfielder, Yves Bissouma. However, there are concerns about his availability in the biannual Africa showpiece because he hasn’t played for Mali for three years.
However, the Malian coach gave the assurance that he will be available when pressed about the availability of the midfielder for the competition.
He added, “We want to push the Eagles to fly towards the coronation,” said Magassouba.
This implies that Mali will be hoping to win the crown finally after coming close at different editions, playing in the semi-finals five times and coming second in 1972.
The Eagles are aiming to win the competition for the first time, but they have many hurdles to pass to achieve this feat. It begins by qualifying from Group F, which includes Mauritania, Gambia, and Tunisia.
They are kick-starting their AFCON campaign with Tunisia on January 12, 2022, at the Limbe stadium. Take on the Gambia four days later, before travelling to Douala, to battle Mauritania at the Japoma Stadium.
Mali full squad for Afcon 2021
Goalkeepers: Ismaël Diawara (Malmö, Sweden), Ibrahim Moukoro (TP Mazembé, DR Congo), Djigui Diarra (Young Africans, Tanzania)
Defenders: Hamari Traoré (Rennes, France), Moussa Sissako (Standard Liège, Belgium), Falaye Sacko (Guimaraes, Portugal), Mamadou Fofana (Amiens, France), Senou Coulibaly (Dijon, France), Kiki Kouyaté (FC Metz, France), Charles Traoré (FC Nantes, France), Massadio Haidara (RC Lens, France), Issiaka Samaké (Horoya AC, Guinea)
Midfielders: Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzing, Germany), Diadié Samassekou (Hoffenheim, Germany), Mohamed Camara (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), Lassana Coulibaly (Salernitana, Italy), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly, Egypt)
Forwards: Adama Noss Traoré (Hatyaspor, Turkey), Kouamé Nguessa (Troyes, France), Yves Bissouma (Brighton, England), Hamidou Traoré (Girespunsor, Turkey), Kalifa Coulibaly (FC Nantes, France), Moussa Djenepo (Southampton, England), Moussa Doumbia (Reims, France), Lassine Sinayoko (AJ Auxerre, France), El Bilal Touré (Reims, France), Adama Traoré (Sheriff Tiraspol, Moldavia), Ibrahima Koné (Sarsporg, Norway)
