Mali Suffer Injury Blow to Key Players

Two Mali players have been hit by injuries prior to their double clash with Equatorial Guinea, in Group C of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.


The Eagles will be without Werder Bremen midfielder Sambou Yatabaré and Club Brugge striker Abdoulaye Diaby, who are both battling with physical problems, to face the Nzalang Nacional in Bamako this Friday, and then in Malabo three days later.

National coach Alain Giresse had already lost former U-20 star Adama Traoré to injury, while Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Bakary Sako was dropped from the squad for unknown reasons.

However, Mali are left with plenty of quality and experience upfront, with the likes of midfielders Yacouba Sylla and Abdou Traoré and strikers Modibo Maiga, Mustapha Yatabaré and Cheick Tidiane Diabaté.

The Eagles are lying second in the group table on 4 points, one point adrift of Benin who have played one more game.