Mali and newly appointed coach Éric Chelle are anticipated to be favorites to top Group G in 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying and Les Aigles will aim to get off to a winning start in matches against Republic of Congo and South Sudan in early June. Chelle announced his 25-player list for the home fixture against Congo on June 4 followed five days later by a trip to Kampala, Uganda for the road test against South Sudan.
The Eagles will have star players involved including Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma, talismanic forward Ibrahima Koné and left back captain Hamari Traoré. Forward Sekou Koïta will arrive in camp for the first time in nearly a year and just returned to action for club Red Bull Salzburg following a cruciate ligament tear in his knee while Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doukouré is not in the squad after committing to play for Mali in the playoff round of 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
