Alassane Pléa, the Borussia Monchengladbach striker, has yet again turned down the opportunity to represent Mali in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.
Despite fervent hopes that this time the stars would align for Pléa to don the colors of Mali, the talented forward has respectfully declined the offer extended by the Malian Federation and Eagles’ coach Eric Chelle.
This decision was communicated by Brahim Thiam, who shared the news on social media, shedding light on Pléa’s perspective.
According to Thiam, Alassane Pléa’s refusal stems from a deep respect for the players who have been a consistent part of the team for months and years.
Pléa, in a commendable show of sportsmanship, expressed his desire for the existing squad to excel in the competition, extending his gratitude to Coach Chelle for the invitation.
The rejection may not come as a surprise to those closely following Pléa’s international career, as he has consistently turned down calls to represent Mali, harboring aspirations to be selected for the French national team instead.
The Malian Federation, despite the repeated refusals, had expressed its desire to welcome Pléa into the squad for AFCON 2023.
While opinions on Pléa’s decision may vary, it underscores the complexities and considerations that go into a player’s choice of representation on the international stage.
As AFCON 2023 approaches, Mali will continue to focus on preparing its squad, aiming for a strong performance in the prestigious tournament.
