Mali U-23s prepare for October double-header under Fousseni Diawara

Fousseni Diawara has named his Mali U-23 squad for two international fixtures in October, with the Aiglons travelling to face Morocco in Rabat on 1 October before hosting Burkina Faso in Bamako on 5 October.

Oumar Pona of Angers SCO, Yeelen Olympique’s Bourama Kone and Cheick Diarra of Olympique de Marseille have been selected among the goalkeepers.

The defensive group includes Issiaka Soukouna of Stade Rennais, Sekou Doucoure of FC Nantes, Souleymane Sagnan of RC Lens and Fousseyni Doumbia of Energie Cottbus.

Eden Gassama, who plays for La Roche-sur-Yon, has also been called up alongside Dan Sinate of Amiens SC, Alfoussen Drame of FC Sochaux and Samba Konare of Stade Malien.

In midfield, Diawara has chosen Boubakar Dembaga of Olympique Charleroi, Sekou Kone of Lausanne, Ousmane Thiero of Rapid Vienne and Ibrahim Diarra of FC Barcelone.

The midfield selection is completed by Ibrahima Diakite of EA Guingamp, Abdoulaye Kone of Binga FC and Cheick Keita of APOEL Haifa.

Mahamoud Barry of Villarreal CF, Aboubacar Sidibe of Paris 13 Atletico and Pape Sissoko of Ried form part of the attacking options.

The forward line also features Aboubacar Diakite of Al-Hazem, Zoumana Diallo of OGC Nice, Moulaye Haidara of Rapid Vienne and Alou Meminta of FC Diarra.

Mali’s first match will be against Morocco in Rabat on 1 October. Diawara’s side will then return home to play Burkina Faso in Bamako four days later.

The two fixtures will allow the coach to continue working with his squad ahead of Mali’s next official commitments.