Samba Sow Returns to Mali National Team Under Alain Giresse, Despite Defeat to Gabon
After a period of absence, Samba Sow has made his return to the Mali national team under the leadership of new coach Alain Giresse. The midfield powerhouse was recalled to the squad for a friendly against Gabon, a match in which the Eagles were narrowly defeated 4-3 by the Panthers.
Reflecting on his return to the national team, Sow expressed his happiness at being back in the fold. “It’s always a pleasure to return to the national team, to wear the national team jersey. It’s always a childhood dream and to return in a warm atmosphere, I’m really happy,” Sow told Malifootball.com. Despite the loss, Sow focused on the positives, highlighting the team’s offensive performance. “Despite our defeat, we played a good match and there were a lot of goals. We existed offensively, that’s what we remember from this match,” he added.
Sow, who had been sidelined from the national team for some time, acknowledged the emotional difficulty of being out of the squad. “It hurts to no longer be in the national team when you’re used to being selected regularly. But you know in football, things move so fast that today’s truth is not tomorrow’s,” he said. However, Sow’s determination to return was evident, as he shared, “I always wanted to return to the national team, I did everything for that. On a sporting level, I would play every match with my club, I waited to be called up.”
The midfielder, however, was clear that he respects the coach’s decisions. “In football, it’s the coach who decides and you have to accept these choices,” Sow concluded.
Despite the defeat to Gabon, Sow’s return adds depth and experience to a Mali squad that looks to build under Giresse’s guidance. The match served as a valuable opportunity for Sow and his teammates to fine-tune their preparations as they look ahead to future competitions.
