Mali without key stars ahead of Russia friendly

Mali coach Tom Saintfiet has announced his squad for the upcoming international friendly against Russia on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, at the Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg, with the selection marked by the notable absence of several key players.

The West African football giants will have to battle it out with Russia without most influential figures for various reasons.

Among those withdrawing are Yves Bissouma, Lassine Sinayoko, El Bilal Touré, Amadou Haïdara, Sikou Niakaté, Néné Dorgeles, Djigui Diarra, Hamari Traoré, Mamadou Sangaré, Woyo Coulibaly, Kamory Doumbia, Mohamed Camara, and Lassana Coulibaly.

Despite the significant number of withdrawals, coach has named a squad designed to maintain balance and competitiveness.

The absence of several first-choice players poses a challenge for Mali, as the squad will rely heavily on younger and less experienced talents to fill the gaps. Nonetheless, the team retains a mix of seasoned internationals and promising prospects, providing coach an opportunity to assess emerging talent ahead of future competitive fixtures.

Fans will be eager to see how the remaining squad performs against Russia, especially with several standout players unavailable. While the match in Saint Petersburg is a friendly, it offers an important platform for Mali to test their depth and build cohesion in preparation for upcoming African and international competitions.

With the curtain set for 31 March, all eyes will be on the Fauves as they face a strong Russian side without some of their usual stars, making it a test of resilience, adaptability, and the squad’s emerging talents.

Mali squad:

Goalkeepers:

Mamadou Samassa

Ismail Diawara

N’golo Traoré

Defenders:

Amadou DantéNathan Gassama

Abdoulaye Diaby

Mamadou Fofana

Ibrahima Cissé

Cheick Oumar Konaté

Alpha Sissoko

Fodé Doucouré

Midfielders:

Aliou Dieng

Ibrahima Sissoko (Nantes)

Soumaila Diabaté (RB Salzburg)

Moussa Diakité

Mamadou Maïga

Kalidou Sidibé

Ousmane Diakité

Forwards:

Gaoussou Diakité

Gaoussou Diarra

Wilson Samaké

Mamadou Doumbia

Mamadou Camara

Harouna Camara