Posted on 03.16.2023 at 6:27 p.m. by Boubacar Sidiki HAIDARA
It is this Friday that national coach Éric Sékou Chelle will unveil the list of players selected for the double confrontation against Gambia for the CAN 2024 qualifiers. He should once again rely on a framework that has given him satisfaction. and victories since taking office.
Captain Hamari Traoré, who has just returned from injury, should be on the list and hold his place as leader. The presence of the solid Boubacar Kiki Kouyaté in the axis of the defense will not be a surprise either. The rearguard could therefore look like the previous ones, except for a question about the state of form of goalkeeper Ibrahim Mounkoro, who was injured for a long time. One certainty, however, Éric Sékou Chelle will have to do without the services of Yves Bissouma, who had surgery on his left ankle last month. In midfield, there is no shortage of candidates, with Amadou Haidara, Mohamed Camara, Lassana Coulibaly, Diadié Samassekou and Cheick Doucouré. One of the main questions will relate to the possible return of Abdoulaye Doucouré to the Eagles’ nest. He has not reappeared since the qualifying matches for the World Cup against Tunisia and this neo-international experienced a slump before being revived by the change of coach at his club. Another question, in attack this time, the presence or not of El Bilal Touré. The Almeria striker, in great shape, was injured last weekend in the defeat against Sevilla FC. The attack could therefore be carried by Sékou Koita in the absence also of Ibrahima Koné, suspended after his red card during the qualifying match against South Sudan.
A dangerous Gambia
On the ground, the Eagles will have to be wary of Gambia. At the last CAN, the two teams left with a score of 0-0 with better chances for the Scorpions. In terms of football, the country has been evolving well for several years in seniors and among young people with a physical game and players who project themselves quickly forward. The coach is aware of the challenge and intends to field the most competitive team possible. The matches will be played on March 24 in Bamako for the first leg and on March 28 in Morocco for the return leg. Relocated meeting because the Gambian stadiums are not up to international standards.
