Mali coach Eric Chelle has finally opted for a contingent of 27 players for his first Africa Cup of Nations. What lessons can be learned from this group, which will be heading to Côte d'Ivoire for the AFCON 2023?
There will be 27 of them, including stalwarts such as Hamari Traoré, Djigui Diarra, Lassana Coulibaly, Adama Noss and Moussa Doumbia, who will be taking part in their 4th AFCON. A returnee like Sékou Koita, absent in 2021, and pure novices at such a level, like Kamory Doumbia or Néné Dorgelès.
Exit Mounkoro, Doumbia in
As for the three goalkeepers, TP Mazembe goalkeeper Ibrahim Mounkoro, who returned to the Corbeaux goal after several months in Cameroon, will not be making the trip.A local, Aboubacar Doumbia, playing with AFE, has been preferred to the TP keeper, who will not be taking part in his 3rd Africa Cup of Nations. The third keeper is Ismaël Diawara. The new keeper of Swedish club AIK Football will be taking part in a AFCON finals for the second time running.
Massadio Haidara main defensive absentee
In defense, 7 players have been called up.In the central hinge, the usual Boubacar Kiki Kouyaté and Mamadou Fofana Nojo are there, in addition to Sikou Niakate. Eric Chelle is expected to play with four defenders. On the right, Hamari Traoré and Falaye Sacko will share the position. On the left, Moussa Diarra and Amadou Dante will do likewise. The main absence is Massadio Haidara. The Eagles' left-back was injured in training.
"He had a physical glitch this (Tuesday) morning in training. He felt pain in the Ischios. We did the tests.We're waiting for the results.In the end, he was declared out. Moussa Diarra also has the advantage of being versatile and able to play in the center of defense.
Kamory, the pillar of the midfield
In midfield, Eric Chelle didn't really choose. Of the 9 selected (Aliou Dieng, Amadou Haidara, Lassana Coulibaly, Mohamed Camara, Diadie Samassekou, Yves Bissouma, Adama Noss Traoré, Kamory Doumbia and Boubacar Traoré Fofana), with the exception of the two mentioned above, the others were all present at the last AFCON in Cameroon. The mainstay of this sector should be young Kamory Doumbia, who is not afraid of anything despite being 20 years old. He is also Eric Chelle's top scorer.
Sirine Doucouré, the chief surprise
Finally, in attack, the surprise is Sirine Doucouré. The Lorient striker, scorer of one goal and 3 assists in 11 games, is discovering the Eagles' nest for the first time. In addition to Doucouré, Néné Dorgelès is also one of the 11 newcomers on the list who will be taking part in their first AFCON finals.
In addition to the injured Ibrahim Koné and Adama Malouda, and the uncalled Moussa Djenepo and Kalifa Coulibaly, Mali's attack will be without El Bilal Touré. Having recovered from injury, his club Atalanta Bergamo did not respond to requests from the FEMAFOOT general secretariat.
"El Bilal is 100% recovered, which is why his name is on the extended list. The Federation, through the secretariat, has sent many messages to the club. The club did not respond favorably to his arrival in the national team," explained Mali's national team doctor. Dr Halidou Maiga also pointed out that some players, including Mohamed Camara, are suffering from a physical problem.And even if he is included on the list, he may not be able to play the first match, but he will be ready for the rest of the competition.
Eric Chelle's Eagles list
Goalkeepers (3): Djigui Diarra (Young Africans), Aboubacar Doumbia (AFE), Ismaël Diarra Diawara (AIK soccer).
Defenders (7): Hamari Traoré (Réal Sociedad), Sikou Niakaté (S.C Braga), Boubacar Kiki Kouyaté (Montpellier), Mamadou Fofana (Amiens), Falaye Sacko (Montpellier), Amadou Danté (Strum Graz), Moussa Diarra (Toulouse).
Midfielders (9): Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig), Dadié Samassékou (Hoffenheim), Lassana Coulibaly (Salermitana), Yves Bissouma (Tottenham), Mohamed Camara (AS Monaco), Adama Traoré (Hull City), Boubacar Traoré (Wolverhampton), Kamory Doumbia (Brest), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly).
Attackers (8): Néné Dorgelès (RB Sazourg), Fousseni Diabaté (Lausanne Sport), Sékou Koïta (RB Salzbourg), Ibrahim Sissoko (Saint Etienne), Moussa Doumbia (Al Adalh), Youssoufou Niakaté (Bani Yas FC), Siriné Doucouré (Lorient).Lassine Sinayogo (AJ Auxerre).
