Mali will head into the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations without one of its most prominent attacking figures. As previously reported, Bordeaux striker Cheick Diabaté has been ruled out of the tournament after undergoing knee surgery that will sideline him for approximately four months.
In response, national team coach Henri Kasperczak has officially named Diabaté’s replacement: Mohamed Traoré, a forward currently playing for Sudanese club El Merreikh.
Traoré’s call-up comes at a crucial moment for the Eagles of Mali, who will need to recalibrate their attacking options ahead of the continental showdown in Equatorial Guinea. With Diabaté out, the team loses not only a physical presence up front but also one of its most consistent goal scorers in recent years.
Mohamed Traoré, though lesser known on the international stage, brings with him strong club form and the determination to seize this unexpected opportunity. The striker will now be part of a Malian squad looking to build on its recent AFCON successes, having finished third in both the 2012 and 2013 editions.
Mali will be hoping that Traoré can fill the void left by Diabaté and contribute meaningfully as the team prepares to compete in one of the tournament’s most competitive fields.
