The Malian Federation has announced that its goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa, injured at club level, is ruled out, and has called up N’Golo Traoré of Stade Malien de Bamako ahead of the double-header against Rwanda.
One goalkeeper replaces another in the Eagles squad. The Malian Football Federation has confirmed that international goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa, injured at club level, is ruled out and has been replaced by N’Golo Traoré, the Stade Malien de Bamako goalkeeper. The announcement was made in a statement published on Facebook and reported by Journalessor.ml, 24 hours before the planned gathering at the Ousmane Traoré Centre in Kabala.
The Stade Lavallois goalkeeper will therefore miss Mali’s two meetings with Rwanda, on 13 and 17 November at the Stade du 26 Mars, in the 3rd and 4th matchdays of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. The available information specifies neither the nature of Samassa’s injury nor how long he will be unavailable.
Traoré called up mid-competition
The timing of the call-up is surprising: when the statement was published, N’Golo Traoré was playing a Ligue 1 Orange match for Stade Malien against FC Diarra. The Bamako goalkeeper reacted to his call-up by paying tribute to his elder, in a quote reported by Journalessor.ml: “It is always an honour to join the Eagles squad, but my elder Mamadou Samassa’s injury also makes me sad. He is a great goalkeeper and I learn a lot from him at every gathering. I wish him a speedy recovery,” said the newcomer.
The message shows Traoré’s respect for Samassa, whom he presents as a role model he works alongside at every gathering.
Two quick clashes with Rwanda
The schedule imposes a double confrontation with Rwanda in four days, in the race for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers: the first leg on 13 November at the Stade du 26 Mars, the return on 17 November at the same stadium, for the 3rd and 4th matchdays.
Samassa’s withdrawal therefore comes just days before the first meeting, while the length of his absence is not known. The gathering planned at the Ousmane Traoré Centre in Kabala is meant to serve as preparation for these two fixtures, with N’Golo Traoré now in the squad to replace the Laval goalkeeper.