Head coach Anthony Da Silva has called up Mohamadou Kanté, the West Ham midfielder, for the first time for Mali’s double-header against Rwanda on 13 and 17 November in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Anthony Da Silva has selected Mohamadou Kanté, the West Ham midfielder, for the first time with Mali, according to footafrica.net. The call-up was announced on 4 November 2026. At 21, the player is thus discovering the Malian national team for the double clash with Rwanda.
The head coach unveiled a list of 24 players including two new call-ups: Moussa Yéo and Mohamadou Kanté, reports APA News via footafrica.net. Both are called up for matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
A deliberate choice of national team
Born in the Paris region to a Senegalese family, Mohamadou Kanté came through the ranks at Paris FC before joining West Ham. He chose to wear the colours of Mali, although he could also have played for France or Senegal, according to SeneNews via footafrica.net.
No source in the file allows us to state that he has definitively ruled out France or Senegal. A possible first cap against Rwanda would in any case mark his debut for the national team.
The player was previously known under the name “Abou Kanté”, according to footafrica.net, which does not specify the reasons for the name change.
The numbers and a derby
West Ham are playing in the Championship this season, and Kanté has made his mark there: 3 goals and 2 assists in 12 appearances, according to footafrica.net.
The Hammers supporters particularly appreciate him for his performance in the derby against Millwall: coming on at half-time, he scored before being sent off, reports Green Street Hammers via footafrica.net.
A level Group K
Mali and Rwanda each have six points in Group K after the first two matchdays, footafrica.net specifies. The two teams therefore go into this double-header level on points.
The first match is set for 13 November, Mali – Rwanda, followed by Rwanda – Mali on 17 November, for matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.