2027 AFCON Qualifiers: two players ruled out of the Mali Eagles squad; Anthony Da Silva calls up Sékou Koïta and Mamadou Doumbia

Mali will have to manage without two of their strikers for the first two matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Although initially called up by manager Anthony Da Silva, El Bilal Touré and Moussa Sylla have ultimately been ruled out. The Parma centre-forward and the Schalke 04 striker will be unable to take part in the first two fixtures of the Eagles’ qualifying campaign.

This double absence means the Malian manager must revise his plans for the international break. To make up for these absences, Anthony Da Silva has decided to call up two new players. Sékou Koïta, a centre-forward for Genclerbirligi, and Mamadou Doumbia, a centre-forward for Watford FC, will therefore join the Malian squad as reinforcements.

The two strikers will therefore have the opportunity to kick off the qualifying campaign with the Eagles. Mali will first host Cape Verde on 25 September, before travelling to Liberia on 29 September.