Diané Names Mali Final Team for CHAN 2020

Barely seven days to the kickoff of the much anticipated 6th edition of the African Nations Championship in Cameroon, Mali’s head coach Nouhoum Diané has named his final team of 30-man players expected to feature in the tourney meant for players featuring in the respective national domestic leagues.

The team is dominated by players from the Malian top flight league with giants Stade Malien and AS real providing the bulk of players.

It includes 4 goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 10 midfielders and 9 forwards, with a chunk of the team that participated in the recently held West African Football Union (WAFU) tournament keeping their places.

Forward Bassekou Diabate, a late inclusion on the team, makes the cut while midfielder, Ibrahim Dembélé too will be travelling for the CHAN championships where Mali is drawn in group A alongside hosts Cameroon, Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso.

The team is expected to leave the country on Sunday ahead of their group opening match against Burkina Faso at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo next Sunday.

Eagles CHAN squad:

Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra (Stade malien), Cheick Abdoul Kadry Sy (Onze Créateurs), Aboubacar Doumbia (Djoliba AC), Kalilou Traoré (Yeelen Olympique)

Defenders: Issaka Samaké (Stade malien), Sekou Diarra (Onze Créateurs), Siaka Bagayoko (Djoliba AC), Barou Sanogo (Djoliba AC), Moussa Ballo (AS Réal), Samou Sidibé (Stade malien), Mohamed Camara (AS Réal), Mamadou Doumbia (Stade malien), Yacouba Doumbia (Stade malien), Drissa Diarra (Association Sportive de Bamako)

Midfilders : Moussa Kyabou (USC Kita), Aly Desse Sissoko (Stade malien), Makan Samabaly (AS Réal), Sadio Kanouté (Stade malien), Ibourahima Sidibé (AS Réal), Oumar Camara (Djoliba AC), Ibrahim Dembélé (Lafia Club de Bamako), Mamadou Traoré (Stade malien), Mohamed Haidara (AS Bakaridjan), Sekou Konaté (Stade malien)

Forwards: Mamaye Coulibaly (Stade malien), Saiba Dabo (FC Guidars), Ousmane Kamissoko (FC Guidars), Demba Diallo (Stade malien), Mamadou Coulibaly (Stade malien), Moussa Koné (AS Réal), Bassekou Diabaté (Yeelen Olympique), Zoumana Simpara (AS Bakaridjan), Abdoulaye Kanu (FC Diarra).