FC Porto striker Moussa Marega is the notable absentee in Mali’s 28-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Chad.
The 28-year-old is recovering from an injury and has missed Porto’s last four games in all competitions.
The striker even missed Mali’s trip to South Africa for the Nelson Mandela Challenge in October and an international friendly match against Saudi Arabia in September.
He last featured for the Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament in the 1-0 Round of 16 defeat by Ivory Coast in July.
Mali kick off their Group A matches at home against neighbours Guinea on November 14, before travelling to face Chad three days later.
Also missing from Mali’s squad for the Afcon qualifiers is Cercle Brugge midfielder Lassana Coulibaly, while Amiens forward Fousseni Diabate has withdrawn from the squad.
Dijon defender Senou Coulibaly and another France-born forward Ibrahim Sissoko are in line to make their debuts for Mali after being included.
Namibia complete group A.
Mali squad:
Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra (Stade Malien, Mali), Adama Keita (Djoliba AC, Mali), Ibrahim Mounkoro (TP Mazembé, DR Congo)
Defenders: Molla Wagué (FC Nantes, France), Hamari Traoré (Rennes, France), Mamadou Fofana (FC Metz, France), Youssouf Koné (Lyon, France), Boubacar Kiki Kouyate (Troyes, France), Falaye Sacko (Victoria Guimarães, Portugal), Senou Coulibaly (Dijon, France) Massadio Haidara (Lens, France), Cheick Oumara Traore (Lens, France)
Midfielders: Diadié Samassekou (Hoffenheim, Germany), Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig, Germany) Kouamé Nguessan Rominique (Circle Bruges, Belgium) Souleymane Diarra (Gaziantep, Turkey), Cheick Oumar Doucouré (Lens, France), Adama Noss Traoré (Metz, France), Mohamed Camara (RB Salzburg, Austria)
Forwards: Moussa Doumbia (Reims, France), Kalifa Coulibaly (Nantes, France), Adama Malouda Traore (Metz, France), Moussa Djenepo (Southampton, England), Sekou Koita (RB Salzburg, Austria), Hadi Sacko (Denizlispor, Turkey), Abdoulaye (Besiktas, Turkey), Fousseyni Diabate (Amiens, France), Ibrahima Sissoko (Niort, France)
