Mali has announced their final squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast.
Eric Chelle named uncapped Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Boubacar Traore and Lorient striker Sirine Doucoure in his 27-man squad due to injuries to several players.
Among several key players sidelined for the tournament are Cheick Doucoure of Crystal Palace, El Bilal Toure of Atalanta, Ibrahima Kone, Massadio Haidara from Racing Lens, and Moussa Djenepo of Standard Liege.
The Eagles, who will be making their 13th appearance at the tournament, face Guinea-Bissau in a friendly in Bamako on Saturday, January 6, 2024, before heading across the border to Ivory Coast.
Mali will begin their Group E campaign against South Africa on Jan. 16. They will also meet Tunisia and Namibia in the group stage.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Aboubacar Doumbia (Afrique Football Elite), Djigui Diarra (Young Africans), Ismael Diawara (Malmo)
Defenders: Amadou Dante (Sturm Graz), Moussa Diarra (Toulouse), Mamadou Fofana (Amiens), Boubacar Kiki Kouyate (Montpellier), Sikou Niakate (Sporting Braga), Falaye Sacko (Montpellier), Hamari Traore (Stade Rennais)
Midfielders: Yves Bissouma (Tottenham Hotspur), Mohamed Camara (Monaco), Lassana Coulibaly (Salernitana), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly), Kamory Doumbia (Stade Brest), Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig), Diadie Samassekou (Hoffenheim), Adama ‘Noss’ Traore (Hull City), Boubacar Traore (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Forwards: Fousseni Diabate (Lausanne Sport), Nene Dorgeles (Salzburg), Sirine Doucoure (Lorient), Moussa Doumbia (Al Adala), Sekou Koita (Salzburg), Youssoufa Nikaite (Bani Yas), Lassine Sinayoko (AJ Auxerre), Ibrahima Sissoko (Saint Etienne).