CAN 2015: Mali Announces 23-Man Squad Featuring Modibo Maïga

Mali Announce Final 23-Man Squad for 2015 Africa Cup of Nations

Mali have unveiled their final 23-man squad for the upcoming 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to take place in Equatorial Guinea from 17 January to 8 February.

Coach Henry Kasperczak, who initially named a provisional list of 35 players, has called up a blend of experience and emerging talent to represent the Eagles. Leading the group is veteran midfielder Seydou Keita, the AS Roma man who remains the heartbeat of the national team.

A notable omission from the final squad is goalkeeper Oumar Sissoko. The Ajaccio shot-stopper played a pivotal role in Mali’s qualification campaign, and his absence has come as a surprise to many observers.

Another key inclusion is striker Modibo Maïga, whose impressive form at Ligue 1 side FC Metz has earned him a return to the national team fold.

The squad will assemble for a training camp in Libreville, Gabon, beginning 6 January. As part of their preparations, Mali will face Tunisia in a friendly match on 13 January, just four days before the start of the tournament.

The Eagles are drawn into a challenging Group D, where they will face continental heavyweights Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Guinea.

Final 23-Man Mali Squad for AFCON 2015:

Goalkeepers (3):
Soumaïla Diakité (Esteghlal Khuzestan, Iran)
Germain Berthé (Eleven Creators, Mali)
N’Tji Michel Samaké (CS Dougouwolofila, Mali)

Defenders (8):
Drissa Diakité (SC Bastia, France)
Fousseini Diawara (Tours FC, France)
Molla Wagué (Udinese, Italy)
Ousmane Coulibaly (Platanias FC, Greece)
Adama Tamboura (Randers FC, Denmark)
Idrissa Coulibaly (Hassania Agadir, Morocco)
Salif Coulibaly (TP Mazembe, DR Congo)
Mohamed Oumar Konaté (RSB Berkane, Morocco)

Midfielders (8):
Seydou Keïta (AS Roma, Italy)
Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England)
Ahmed Tongo Doumbia (Toulouse FC, France)
Sambou Yatabaré (EA Guingamp, France)
Yacouba Sylla (Kayseri Erciyesspor, Turkey)
Mamoutou Ndiaye (Zulte-Waregem, Belgium)
Abdou Traoré (Bordeaux, France)
Sigamary Diarra (Valenciennes FC, France)

Forwards (4):
Cheick Tidiane Diabaté (Bordeaux, France)
Moustapha Yatabaré (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
Abdoulaye Diaby (Royal Mouscron-Péruwelz, Belgium)
Modibo Maïga (FC Metz, France)

Reserves (6):
Goalkeeper: Abdoulaye Samaké (CO Bamako)
Defender: Kalifa Traoré (Angers SCO, France)
Midfielders: Souleymane Diarra (AS Réal Bamako), Idrissa Traoré (Stade Malien)
Forwards: Mohamed Traoré (El Merreikh, Sudan), Cheick Fantamady Diarra (AJ Auxerre, France)

Mali will be hoping to make a deep run in the tournament, having finished third in both the 2012 and 2013 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.