In the face of significant injuries, Mali has introduced fresh talent to their squad for the upcoming African Cup of Nations tournament. Wolverhampton Wanderers’ uncapped midfielder Boubacar Traore and Lorient striker Sirine Doucoure make their debut appearances in the 27-man squad.

Traore, formerly of Metz in France, secured a move to Wolves last year and boasts previous experience with Mali at the junior level, including winning the African under-20 championship in 2019. Doucoure, who has predominantly served as a substitute this season, brings his skills from Ligue 1, having scored one goal.

Coach Eric Chelle, dealing with the absence of key players in Ivory Coast, strategically included Traore and Doucoure as replacements before the Wednesday deadline. Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure misses out due to Achilles tendon surgery, while El Bilal Toure from Atalanta is still recovering from a serious thigh injury.

The sidelined players also include Ibrahima Kone based in Spain, fullback Massadio Haidara from Racing Lens, and former Southampton winger Moussa Djenepo, currently with Standard Liege in Belgium.

Mali is set to face Guinea-Bissau in a friendly in Bamako on Saturday before heading to Ivory Coast. Their Group E campaign kicks off against the Bafana Bafana (South Africa) on January 16, and they will also compete against Tunisia and Namibia in the group stage.

The new additions to the squad bring a mix of talent and promise as Mali navigates the challenges posed by injuries ahead of the AFCON tournament.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Aboubacar Doumbia (Afrique Football Elite), Djigui Diarra (Young Africans), Ismael Diawara (Malmo)

Defenders: Amadou Dante (Sturm Graz), Moussa Diarra (Toulouse), Mamadou Fofana (Amiens), Boubacar Kiki Kouyate (Montpellier), Sikou Niakate (Sporting Braga), Falaye Sacko (Montpellier), Hamari Traore (Stade Rennais)

Midfielders: Yves Bissouma (Tottenham Hotspur), Mohamed Camara (Monaco), Lassana Coulibaly (Salernitana), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly), Kamory Doumbia (Stade Brest), Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig), Diadie Samassekou (Hoffenheim), Adama ‘Noss’ Traore (Hull City), Boubacar Traore (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Attackers: Fousseni Diabate (Lausanne Sport), Nene Dorgeles (Salzburg), Sirine Doucoure (Lorient), Moussa Doumbia (Al Adala), Sekou Koita (Salzburg), Youssoufa Nikaite (Bani Yas), Lassine Sinayoko (AJ Auxerre), Ibrahima Sissoko (Saint Etienne).