Cheick Diabaté in Doubt for AFCON 2015 Due to Knee Injury
Despite his excellent form in Ligue 1, Cheick Diabaté’s participation in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations is now under serious threat. The Malian striker, who scored a decisive double last weekend to help Bordeaux secure a 3-2 comeback win against Lorient, is once again dealing with persistent knee issues.
Originally planned to be rested by coach Willy Sagnol, Diabaté was brought on to turn the game around—and he delivered. However, his heroic performance came at a cost. The AFP reports that Diabaté missed training on Tuesday and instead traveled to Marseille to consult a knee specialist.
The 26-year-old has already scored 8 goals in Ligue 1 this season, underlining his importance for both club and country. But the recurrence of knee pain, which has troubled him for several months, may now require arthroscopic surgery. If that happens, his chances of featuring in the upcoming AFCON (January–February 2015) with Mali’s national team would be very slim.
For the Eagles of Mali, this would be a significant blow, as Diabaté has been a key attacking weapon heading into the tournament.
