Mali’s national football team has announced a last-minute change to its squad ahead of the upcoming friendly match against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Central defender Issiar Dramé has been forced to withdraw due to family reasons, with Ibrahima Cissé of Schalke 04 stepping in as his replacement.
The friendly, scheduled for Thursday in Orléans, France, serves as part of Mali’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Eagles of Mali are currently fourth in Group I, with nine points, trailing Ghana, Comoros, and Madagascar. The upcoming fixtures in September against Comoros and Ghana are crucial for their qualification hopes.
Ibrahima Cissé, aged 24, brings a wealth of experience to the squad. A product of the Châteauroux youth academy, Cissé has also played for La Gantoise before joining Schalke 04 in 2022.
Although his club appearances this season have been limited, he has been a regular for Mali’s youth teams, notably earning a bronze medal at the 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations and being named to the tournament’s Team of the Tournament.
He was also part of Mali’s squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Cissé made his senior debut for Mali in November 2024 during a 6–0 victory over Eswatini in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. His inclusion in the squad for this friendly match underscores his growing role within the national team setup.
Upon arriving in Orléans, Cissé integrated swiftly into the team’s training sessions under head coach Tom Saintfiet. Expressing his pride at the call-up, Cissé took to social media to convey his gratitude and support for Issiar Dramé.
He stated, “Proud to join the squad for this important match. Thinking of Issiar, I will give everything to honour this selection.”
The match against the Democratic Republic of Congo presents an important opportunity for Mali to assess their readiness ahead of the critical qualifiers in September.
With the addition of Ibrahima Cissé to the squad, the Eagles of Mali aim to strengthen their defensive options and build momentum for the challenges ahead.
🚨 Ibrahima Cisse est appelé pour remplacer Issiar Drame !
Le défenseur central de l’Estrela Amadora est forfait ❌ pic.twitter.com/3bIOqVjvi9
— Les Aigles Du Mali 🇲🇱🦅 (@AiglesDuMali_) June 2, 2025
