Mali coach Anthony Da Silva names 24-man squad for Rwanda double-header in AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Mali head coach Anthony Da Silva has announced a 24-man squad for the country’s upcoming double-header against Rwanda in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers scheduled for November.

The French tactician has assembled a strong squad featuring several established internationals and promising talents as Les Aigles prepare for two crucial encounters against their Group K rivals.

Mali will head into the fixtures looking to build on their impressive performances during the September qualifying window, where they recorded consecutive victories over Cape Verde and Liberia.

The West African nation began the previous round with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Cape Verde before securing a narrow 1-0 win against Liberia to collect maximum points from their two matches.

Those results have placed Mali second in Group K with six points, level with Rwanda, with goal difference currently separating the two countries.

The upcoming meetings will therefore be particularly important, with both sides seeking to strengthen their positions in the race for qualification to the continental showpiece.

Da Silva’s selection includes several familiar faces, with goalkeeper Djigui Diarra of Tanzanian giants Young Africans and Mamadou Samassa of Stade Lavallois among the options between the posts.

In defence, experienced right-back Hamari Traoré headlines the selection alongside Ousmane Camara, Modibo Sagnan and Daouda Guindo.

The midfield department also boasts considerable quality, with Amadou Haïdara, Kamory Doumbia, Aliou Dieng and West Ham youngster Mohamadou Kanté included in the squad.

Brentford midfielder Mamadou Sangaré and Ousmane Diakité of West Bromwich Albion also feature as Mali look to maintain their strength in the middle of the park.

In attack, Paris FC forward Lassine Sinayoko earns a place following his impressive scoring form in France, where he has emerged as one of Ligue 1’s leading goalscorers.

He will be joined by Moussa Yeo, Gaoussou Diakité, Mamadou Doumbia, Dorgeles Nene, Gaoussou Diarra and Mamadou Camara as Mali look to maintain their attacking threat.

Mali will be hoping their squad depth and recent momentum prove decisive as they prepare to face Rwanda twice in a short space of time, with the outcome of the encounters potentially having a significant impact on the Group K standings.

Mali squad:

Goalkeepers: Mamadou Samassa (Stade Lavallois), Djigui Diarra (Young Africans), Émile Doucouré (KRC Genk).

Defenders: Ousmane Camara (Angers SCO), Modibo Sagnan (Rizespor), Daouda Guindo (Stade de Reims), Amadou Danté (Zbrojovka), Hamari Traoré (Paris FC), Nathan Gassama (Baltika Kaliningrad), Check Keita (Royal Charleroi SC), Fodé Doucouré (FC Nantes).

Midfielders: Aliou Dieng (Valence FC), Amadou Haïdara (RC Lens), Mohamadou Kanté (West Ham), Kamory Doumbia (Stade Brestois 29), Mamadou Sangaré (Brentford), Ousmane Diakité (West Bromwich Albion).

Forwards: Lassine Sinayoko (Paris FC), Moussa Yeo (Swansea City), Gaoussou Diakité (Salzburg), Mamadou Doumbia (Watford), Dorgeles Nene (Fenerbahçe), Gaoussou Diarra (Feyenoord), Mamadou Camara (Montpellier).