Olympique de Marseille midfielder Nouhoum Kamissoko is not in Mali’s squad for the two matches against Rwanda. Head coach Anthony Da Silva believes the 21-year-old still lacks athletic and mental maturity.
Bruno Genesio, the Olympique de Marseille coach, was very positive about Nouhoum Kamissoko in a press conference, reports Made in Foot. Yet the 21-year-old midfielder was not selected by Mali for the double header against Rwanda on 13 and 17 November 2026, according to Afrique-sur-7.
Head coach Anthony Da Silva stands by that choice and puts forward his own arguments, a long way from the enthusiasm in Marseille. The player had nevertheless been in his preliminary squad, which makes this omission all the more notable.
Two conflicting messages
In Marseille, the message is one of confidence. Bruno Genesio was very positive about his young midfielder: “Kamissoko is fully committed to the team project. I am fully satisfied with what he shows in training and in matches.”
On the Mali bench, the tone changes markedly. “He is a player who still needs maturity, both athletically and mentally,” Anthony Da Silva told Afrique-sur-7 to justify his decision. Two assessments that diverge sharply.
Reduced playing time
Kamissoko has had less playing time since Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Geoffrey Kondogbia returned from injury, reports Made in Foot. The reduced minutes come after his first Ligue 1 starts, which came in quick succession at the start of the season.
His recent record is mixed. He scored at Angers in a 5-2 OM win, but he also made a costly error in the Europa League and received a public dressing-down from his coach, reports Afrique-sur-7.
Rwanda in sight
Mali will therefore play this double header without the Marseille man. The first match, Mali-Rwanda, is set for 13 November 2026, before the return leg Rwanda-Mali on 17 November. Anthony Da Silva has made his choices without him, citing a lack of athletic and mental maturity.
Kamissoko had nevertheless been in the Mali coach’s preliminary squad before failing to make the cut for this double header.