AFCON: Mali announces squad for finals in Morocco

Mali coach Tom Saintfiet’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was confirmed among the wave of roster releases on Thursday.

 

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There are zero surprises in the Eagles squad compared to some of the other notable selection controversies seen with other national teams like Cameroon and Nigeria. The West African nation’s strong group of central midfielders remain untouched, with Tottenham Hotspur player Yves Bissouma headlining the group despite being at the center of controversy and tabloid headlines back in England over reported disciplinary issues.

Gulf-based options Mamadou Camara (Al Sadd, Qatar) and Mahamadou Doumbia (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia) have also been called in as well as Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly, Egypt) and Amadou Haïdara (RB Salzburg, Austria). Kamory Doumbia (Brest, France) will also be a crucial member of the midfielder as an attacking presence in good form for club and country who has already produced 14 goals in 26 appearances.

Fenerbahce forward Nene Dorgeles, Lassine Sinayoko (Auxerre, France) and Besiktas striker El Bilal Touré headline the attackers. 19-year-old Watford striker Mamadou Doumbia continues to develop well in the English second tier and is an intriguing option. Feyenoord forward Gaoussou Diarra, who enjoyed an astronomical rise in his club career over the last year, is also in the mix.

New England Revolution center back Mamadou Fofana and right back Hamari Traoré are the veteran leaders in a young group of defenders. Braga center back Sikou Niakaté looks to be the most likely candidate to partner Fofana in the center while Young Africans goalkeeper Djigui Diarra appears set to resume his duties as the number one for Mali.

The Eagles are in Group A alongside Comoros, Zambia and hosts Morocco. They begin their tournament on December 22 against Zambia.