ACTUALITE |
03.01.2002
Mali bank on Europe-based players for African Nations Cup
JOHANNESBURG,
Hosts Mali have named 18 Europe-based players in a 23-strong squad for the African Nations Cup this month.
The `Eagles` launch the three-week tournament on January 19 with a Group A match against Liberia at the recently completed March 25 Stadium in Bamako, capital of the landlocked west African state.
Coach Henri Kasperczak must cut his squad by one before the biennial tournament as squads are limited to 22 players by the African Football Confederation, organisers of the event since its inception 45 years ago.
France-based players dominate the squad with 11 chosen. Lens and Strasbourg supply two each and Chateauroux, Istres, Laval, Lorient, Monaco, Niort and Saint Etienne one.
There are two players each from Fribourg of Germany and Athinaikos of Greece, one from Genclerbirligi of Turkey and Vitesse Arnhem of Holland and goalkeeper Karamoko Keita plays for English non-league side Harrow Borough.
Malian clubs Stade Malien, Djoliba and Olympic Bamako have four players and midfielder Aboubacar Haidara plays for Canal in Egypt, arguably the most competitive African national championship.
"I have concentrated on creative players from European clubs," Kasperczak told reporters in Bamako after an eight-match build-up which produced three victories, three draws and two losses with weakened teams.
A member of the 1974 Poland World Cup squad, Kasperczak took over in November after Italian Romano Matto paid the price for a 6-0 drubbing in France from second division club Guingamp.
The Malian defence is expected to be built around Boubacar Diarra while in midfield, Soumaila Coulibaly and Seydou Keita are considered key figures, and much is expected from striker Mamahadou Dissa.
World Cup qualifiers Nigeria are overwhelming favourites to win Group A with Algeria and Liberia challenging Mali for the other passport to the knockout phase.
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