Mali start World Cup preps next week

Group H rivals Mali have summoned twenty three players to start intensive training  in France next week ahead of their 2014 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda due June 9 in Bamako.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Group H rivals Mali have summoned twenty three players to start intensive training  in France next week ahead of their 2014 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda due June 9 in Bamako.The team which was summoned by French coach Patrice Carteron will play a friendly match against Britain next Tuesday. Head coach Patrice Carteron wants to use the friendly match to prepare his side which has two continental matches against Rwanda and Benin in Bamako on June June 9 and June 16, 2013.The team is comprised of first choice goalie Mamadou Samassa (Guingamp) who missed the first leg qualifier with an injury and Yacouba Sylla (Aston Villa) who will be making his maiden debut for the national team.The rest of the team are players who helped Mali beat Rwanda 2-1 in Kigali in March.Mali share top place with Algeria in Group H with six points from three matches at the halfway stage of the African World Cup qualifiers. Goalkeepers: Mamadou Samassa (Guingamp), Soumaila Diakite (Stade Malien) and Abdoulaye Samaké (Club Olympique de Bamako).Defenders: Adama Tamboura (Randers) Amadou Sidibe (AJ Auxerre), Adama Coulibaly (AJ Auxerre), Salif Coulibaly (Djoliba AC), Ousmane Coulibaly (Brest) Fousseyni Diawara (Ajaccio), Mola Wagué (SM Caen), Mahamoud N’Diaye (Vitoria Guimaraes), Ahmed Tongo Doumbia (Wolwerampton).Midfield: Alfousseyni Keita (Academica Coimbra - Portugal), Samba Sow (RC Lens), Yacouba Sylla (Aston Villa), Abdou Traore (Bordeaux), Mohamed Lamine Sissoko (Fiorentina - Italy), Siagamary Diarra (Ajaccio), Cheick Fanta Mady Diarra (Rennes), Seydou Keita (Dalian Aerbin - China).Forwards: Cheick Tidiane Diabate (Bordeaux), Mahamadou Samassa (Chievo Verona), Moustapha Yatabare (Guingamp).