Mali is set to face Botswana on October 13 in a crucial match for a spot in the South Africa CAN 2013. Coach Patrice Carteron revealed the squad for the upcoming match, expressing concerns about Djila Diarra’s injury. The Fulham midfielder is not included in the group.
A notable surprise in Patrice Carteron’s list is the inclusion of Momo Sissoko. The former Juventus player, absent from national team gatherings for over a year due to various issues, could make his comeback if he agrees to join the squad. Sissoko, currently at PSG, returned from injury over the weekend against Sochaux. However, AC Milan’s Bakaye Traoré is not included, likely due to his limited playing time with the Rossoneri.
Mali holds a 3-goal advantage from the first leg (3-0 winner in Bamako) and is expected to secure qualification for the tournament in South Africa. The 23-man squad for Mali includes:
Goalkeepers: Soumbeyla Diakité (Stade Malien), Mamadou Samassa (Guingamp, France), Aly Yirango (Djoliba AC).
Defenders: Idrissa Coulibaly (Lekihwiya, Qatar), Adama Tamboura (Randers, Denmark), Fousseiny Diawara (AJ Ajaccio, France), Adama Coulibaly (Auxerre, France), Salif Coulibaly (Djoliba AC), Mahamadou N’Diaye (Vitoria Guimares, Portugal), Ousmane Coulibaly (Brest, France).
Midfielders: Samba Sow (Lens, France), Mohamed Lamine Sissoko (PSG, France), Kalilou Traoré (Sochaux, France), Mahamane Traoré (Nice, France), Abdou Traoré (Bordeaux, France), Seydou Keita (Dalian Aerbin, China).
Forwards: Mamadou Samassa (Chievo Verona, Italy), Cheick Diabaté (Bordeaux, France), Modibo Maiga (West Ham, England), Mustapha Yatabaré (Guingamp, France).
