Mali name Europe ensemble for Flames
The Flames should brace for a predominantly Europe-based Mali ensemble in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nation Group B encounter at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako on September 6 2014.
Africafootball.com reported that, while the Eagles coach Henri Kasperczak is yet to hold a formal press conference, the local media are in possession of a list from the Mali Football Federation (Femafoot).
AS Roma captain Seydou Keita leads the Mali squad comprising players who have featured regularly under the Polish coach with the exception of 26-year-old defender Alassane També, who plays for Belgian side Kortrijk and goalkeeper Soumalia Diakite from Iranian club Esteghlal Khuzestan.
The Eagles will host Malawi, who started camp training last Sunday, before facing Algeria in Blida four days later. Mali last beat Malawi 3-1 at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
In the latest qualifiers, top two teams from the group will qualify for the finals in Morocco while also being joined by the hosts Atlas Lions.
Earlier, the Flames deputy coach Jack Chamangwana said they were targeting minimum of draws when playing away in Mali, Algeria and Ethiopia.
But he bemoaned the delayed start to the training, saying it did not augur well with the fact that most home-based players were on half-way season break.
Flames striker Atusaye Nyondo also said while the Flames were capable of qualifying for the Morocco finals, the coaches are let down by inadequate support during preparations. n
