Blow for Mali as Key Midfielder is Ruled Out of AFCON With an Injury

Mali international midfielder, Yves Bissouma, has officially been ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, with a shoulder injury.

Bissouma, who was set to play a key role in Mohamed Magassouba’s team for the biennial competition, had a lengthy chat with the coach on Monday in which he informed him of his unavailability.

The 22-year-old, who turns for English Premier League side Brighton, is also expected to miss the start of the 2019/2020 English Premier League campaign.

“Bissouma has a shoulder fracture,” Magassouba said. “He will receive treatment at his club, and will not be available for the Nations Cup with us.”

Mali has already lined up friendly games with Namibia and Algeria in Abu Dhabi, where they are expected to pitch camp.

The games are said to have been fixed for June 9 and 16 in the United Arab Emirates where the Eagles will pitch camp ahead of the tournament.

Mali have been drawn in Group E in Africa Cup of Nations and will begin their tournament against debutants Mauritania on June 24, before facing Tunisia and then Angola on June 28 and July 2.

Mali’s provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra (Stade Malien), Ibrahim Mounkoro (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Adama Keita (Djoliba)

Defenders: Molla Wague (Nottingham Forest, England), Hamari Traore (Rennes, France), Falaye Sacko (Vitoria Guimaraes, Portugal), Massadio Haidara (Lens, France), Youssouf Kone (Lille, France), Mamadou Fofana (Metz, France), Boubacar Kiki Kouyate (Troyes, France)

Midfielders: Diadie Samassekou (RB Salzbourg, Austria), Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig, Germany), Cheick Doucoure (Lens, France), Lassana Coulibaly (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Adama Traore (Cercle Bruges, Belgium), Souleymane Diarra (Lens, France), Idrissa Traore (Shabab Al-Jabal, Libya)

Forwards: Moussa Djenepo (Standard Liege, Belgium), Moussa Doumbia (Reims, France), Abdoulay Diaby (Sporting CP, Portugal), Moussa Marega (FC Porto, Portugal), Kalifa Coulibaly (Nantes, France), Hadi Sacko (Ankaragucu, Turkey), Adama Niane (Charleroi, Belgium), Adama Traore (Orleans, France), Sekou Koita (Wolfsberger AC, Austria)