Former Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita will be leading the Malian Eagles to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa
Mali coach Patrice Carteron named his 2013 Africa Cup of Nation squad on Wednesday in Bamako after trimming a provisional 28-man list to 23 at the end of a brief workshop.
AC Milan central midfielder Bakaye Traore and Fulham’s Mahamadou Diarra are the notable absence from the squad. The later was dropped following a knee injury and the former due to tactical reasons, the French coach said.
Paris Saint Germain midfielder Momo Sissoko returns to the outfit after nearly three years of absence, while the team’s star player Seydou Keita will stand as captain.
Mali will open their campaign against Niger on January 20 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, before facing the two other Group B members Ghana and DR Congo.
List| Name | Club |
| Goalkeepers: | |
| Soumbeyla Diakite | Stade Malien |
| Mamadou Samassa | Guingamp |
| Ali Yirango | Djoliba |
| Defenders: | |
| Adama Coulibaly | Auxerre |
| Idrissa Coulibaly | Al Lekihwiya |
| Ousmane Coulibaly | Brest |
| Salif Coulibaly | Djoliba |
| Fousseni Diawara | Ajaccio |
| Mahamadou Ndiaye | Vitoria |
| Adama Tamboura | Randers |
| Molla Wague | Caen |
| Midfielders: | |
| Sambou Diakite | QRP |
| Seydou Keita | Dalian Aerbin |
| Mohamed Sissoko | PSG |
| Samba Sow | Lens |
| Kalilou Traore | Sochaux |
| Mahamane Traore | Nice |
| Sambou Yatabare | Bastia |
| Forwards: | |
| Cheick Diabate | Bordeaux |
| Cheick F.M. Diarra | Rennes |
| Sigamary Diarra | Ajaccio |
| Modibo Maiga | West Ham |
| Mamadou Samassa | Chievo |
