Anthony da Silva has named his first Mali squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cape Verde on 23 September and Liberia on 27 September, with four players set to make their international debuts.
Goalkeeper Emile Doucoure, left-winger Ange Martial Tia, defender Adama Camara and forward Alimami Gory have all been included in the 26-man selection.
Tenema N’Diaye, the former FC Nantes and Mali striker, said he was confident in the squad chosen by the recently appointed Mali head coach. Speaking exclusively to Africafoot, N’Diaye, also known as “Takise”, assessed the group ahead of their opening qualifying matches.
The list includes two promising newcomers in Doucoure, who plays for KRC Genk, and Ange Martial Tia of Stade de Reims. There are also first selections for Paris FC defender Adama Camara and Alimami Gory, who plays for Abha Club.
Several established players are missing for a variety of reasons. They include captain Yves Bissouma, who is currently without a club, Leicester City’s Woyo Coulibaly, Abdoulaye Diaby of Grasshopper Zurich, Gaoussou Diakite of Red Bull Salzburg, Sikou Niakate of US Braga, Mohamed Camara “Tiamantie” of Al Sadd and Mahamadou Doumbia of Ittihad.
N’Diaye said the squad would need to show discipline and commitment during the two qualifiers. Mali will then play Tunisia in a friendly on 3 October.
That match will be held at the Taieb Mhiri Stadium in Sfax, a port city in eastern Tunisia approximately 270 kilometres from Tunis.
Mali’s 26-player squad
Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra (Young Africans/TAN), Mamadou Samassa (Stade Lavallois/FRA), Emile Doucoure (KRC Genk/BEL), Ngolo Traore (Stade Malien).
Defenders: Ousmane Camara (Angers SCO/FRA), Hamari Traore (Paris FC/FRA), Adama Camara (Paris FC/FRA), Daouda Guindo “DG” (Stade de Reims/FRA), Cheick Keita (Royal Charleroi FC/BEL), Modibo Sagnan (Rizespor/TUR), Amadou Dante (FC Zbrojovka Brno/CZE), Nathan Gassama (Baltika/RUS).
Midfielders: Aliou Dieng (Valence CF/ESP), Mamadou Sangare “Gaucher” (Brentford/ENG), Ousmane Diakite (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Lassana Coulibaly (US Lecce/ITA), Kamory Doumbia “La Toupie” (Stade Brestois/FRA), Amadou Haidara “Doudou” (RC Lens/FRA), Issa Djiguiba (Rayon Sport/TAN).
Forwards: Lassine Sinayoko (Paris FC/FRA), El Bilal Toure (Parma AC/ITA), Moussa Sylla (FC Schalke 04/GER), Dorgeles Nene (Fenerbahce/TUR), Gaoussou Kyassou Diarra (Feyenoord/NED), Ange Martial Tia (Stade de Reims/FRA), Alimami Gory (Abha Club/SAU).