Giresse names squad for Gabon, Ghana

Returnee Mali coach Alain Giresse has named a 23-man squad for friendlies against Gabon and Ghana next week.

The French tactician who returned to the job last week after departing two years ago has enlisted veteran captain Seydou Keita for the two warm-up games in Paris.

Giresse has handed debut calls to former Esperance forward Moussa Marega and Adama Traore who plays for French Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille. Samba Sow also makes a return to the squad.

Mali plays Gabon first in Beauvais on March 28 before facing the Black Stars at the Stade Charléty on March 31.

Mali 23-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Mamadou Samassa (Guingamp, France), Soumaïla Diakité (Esteghlal Khuzestan, Iran), Aly Yirango (Guingamp, France)

Defenders: Drissa Diakité (Bastia, France), Molla Wagué (Udinese, Italy), Adama Tamboura (Randers, Denmark), Idrissa Coulibaly (Hassania Agadir, Morocco), Mohamed O.Konaté (Renaissance Berkane, Morocco), Kalifa Traoré (Angers, France)

Midfielders: Seydou Keita (AS Roma, Italy), Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton, England), Tongo Hamed Doumbia (Toulouse, France), Yacouba Sylla (Erciyesspor, Turkey), Mamoutou N’Diaye (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Sambou Yattabaré (Guingamp, France), Abdou Traoré (Bordeaux, France), Samba Sow (Karabükspor, Turkey)

Forwards: Abdoulaye Diaby (Lille, France), Cheick Fantamady Diarra (Auxerre, France), Modibo Maïga (Metz, France), Mana Dembelé ( Nancy, France), Moussa Marega ( Club Sport, Portugal), Adama Traoré (Lille, France)