Mali set to clash with the Black Stars

West Africa has to choose sides this weekend as the Eagles of Mali will face one of Africa’s most recent World Cup participants, the Black Stars of Ghana. At stake is key positioning in Group D of African qualifiers for South Africa 2010. After a somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw with Sudan back in March, Mali knows that a home loss to the group favorites would put them in a very difficult situation to say the least.

There is some interesting player news on both sides of the pitch leading up to this one. First, Ghana will be without captain Stephen Appiah, striker Asomoah Gyan, and possibly Michael Essien. Not sure of all the details, but apparently Chelsea’s Essien has some issues in court back in Ghana that could cause him to miss the trip to Mali. That would be welcome news for Mali for sure. As far as the Eagles are concerned, they will still be without their own captain, Mahamadou Diarra but will be happy to have Momo Sissoko and Drissa Diakite back in the squad.

Here’s the full squad list for Mali:
Goalkeepers: Soumbeyla Diakité (Stade Malien), Mahamadou Sidibé (Ethnikos, Greece), Oumar Sissoko (FC Metz, France)

Defenders: Cheick Oumar Ball (ASKO), Adama Coulibaly (AJ Auxerre, France), Souleymane Diamouténé (Roma, Italy), Boubacar Sidiki Kone (Maghreb Fes, Morocco), Amadou Sidibe (AJ Auxerre, France), Bakary Soumaré (Chicago Fire, USA), Adama Tamboura (Helsingborg, Sweden)

Midfielders: Drissa Diakite (Nice, France), Souleymane Dembélé (Djoliba), Lassane Fane (Al Merreikh, Sudan), Jimmy Kebe (Reading, England), Seydou Keita (Barcelona, Spain), Mohamed Lamine Sissoko (Juventus, Italy), Bakaye Traoré (Amiens, France), El Hadj Mahamane Traoré (OGC Nice, France), Sambou Yattabare (Caen, France)

Strikers: Cheik Diabate (AC Ajaccio, France), Mamadou Diallo (Le Havre, France), Frédéric Kanouté (Sévilla, Spain), Mamadou Samassa (Olympique Marseille, France), Mustapha Yattabaré (Clermond Ferrand, France), Modibo Maiga (Le Mans, France)