The talented 20-year old left back, who plays for Lille, finally opted to feature for ‘Les Aigles’ giving coach Alain Giresse the go-ahead to include him in his 22-man squad. The inclusion of the former AS Bakaridjan defender was without any surprise.
However, there was no place for captain and midfielder Seydou Keita who is considering his international future after more than a decade with ‘Les Aigles’. Keita, who has made over 100 appearances for the West African country has had talks with Giresse over his presence in the national team.
Yattabare brothers, Sambou amnd Moustapha were also overlooked for the Group C Day Two clash.
Mali beat South Sudan 2-0 in their opening match last June in Bamako courtesy goals from Modibo Maiga and Salif Coulibaly.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Oumar Sissoko (Orléans, France), Mamadou Samassa (Guingamp, France), Soumaïla Diakité (Esteghlal, Iran)
Defenders: Adama Tamboura (Randers, Denmark), Molla Wagué (Udinese, Italy), Drissa Diakité (Bastia, France), Ousmane Coulibaly (Platanias, Greece), Youssouf Koné (Lille, France), Ousseynou Cissé (Rayo Vallecano, Spain) Ousmane Berthé (Constantine, Algeria), Salif Coulibaly (TP Mazembe, DR Congo).
Midfielders: Birama Touré (Nantes, France), Bakary Sako (Crystal Palace, England), Yacouba Sylla (Erciyesspor, Turkey) Mamoutou Ndiaye (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Abdou Traoré (Bordeaux, France), Adama Traore (Monaco, France) Samba Sow (Kayserispor, Turkey)
Forwards: Moussa Marega (CS Maritimo, Portugal), Modibo Maïga (Al-Nassr, Saudi Arabia), Cheick Fantamady Diarra (Auxerre, France), Abdoulaye Diaby (Club Bruges, Belgium)