Yves Bissouma Gets Chance to Shine in Mali's AFCON Campaign

Yves Bissouma returns to Mali squad for Africa Cup of Nations

Mali coach Tom Saintfiet names Bissouma in 28-man squad despite Tottenham struggles. Bissouma aims to revive career with Mali at AFCON.

Mali kicks off their Group A campaign against Zambia in Casablanca, followed by matches against hosts Morocco and Comoros...

Mali's coach, Tom Saintfiet, has announced a 28-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, and Yves Bissouma is making a long-awaited return. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder hasn't played for his club this season, but Saintfiet believes he's ready to contribute to Mali's campaign.

Bissouma, 29, has been struggling with injuries, including ankle surgery after a World Cup qualifier. He's been dropped by Tottenham and hasn't featured for the club since August. Despite this, Saintfiet has given him a chance to shine in Morocco.

Mali's Group A fixtures include matches against Zambia on December 22, hosts Morocco on December 26, and Comoros on December 29. The tournament kicks off on December 21, and Mali will be looking to make a strong impression.

Bissouma, 29, hasn't played for Tottenham since being dropped before the Super Cup game against PSG in August. He then had ankle surgery two months later, after getting injured during a World Cup qualifier.

Mali kicks off their Group A campaign against Zambia in Casablanca, followed by matches against hosts Morocco and Comoros.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra (Young ⁠Africans), Ismael Diawara (Sirius), Mamadou Sawassa (Laval)

Defenders: Ousmane Camara (Angers), Woyo Coulibaly (Sassuolo), Amadou Dante (Arouca), Abdoulaye Diaby (Grasshoppers), Fode Doucoure (Le Havre), Mamadou Fofana (New England Revolution), Nathan Gassama (Baltika), Sikou Niakate (Sporting Braga), Hamari Traoré (Paris FC)

Midfielders: Yves Bissouma (Tottenham Hotspur), Mohamed Camara (Al Sadd), Lassana Coulibaly (Lecce), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly), Mahamadou Doumbia (Al Ittihad), Amadou Haidara (RB ⁠Leipzig), Mamadou Sangaré (Racing Lens), Ibrahima Sissoko (VfL ‌Bochum)

Forwards: Mamadou Camara (Laval), Gaoussou Diakité (Lausanne Sports), Gaoussou Diarra (Feyenoord Rotterdam), Nene Dorgeles (Fenerbahçe), Kamory Doumbia (Stade Brestois), Mamadou Doumbia (Watford), Lassine Sinayoko (Auxerre, France), Moussa El ⁠Bilal Toure (Besiktas, Turkey).

🚨 OFFICIEL : LA LISTE DU MALI FAITE PAR TOM SAINTFIET POUR LA PROCHAINE CAN MAROC 2025 ! 🇲🇱 pic.twitter.com/DkTH72MLh4

— Les Aigles Du Mali 🇲🇱🦅 (@AiglesDuMali_) December 11, 2025