Mali’s quest for this year’s AFCON surprisingly ended in the first knockout stage, when they failed to score against outsiders Equatorial Guinea, and eventually lost after a penalty-shootout. But for the upcoming World Cup Qualifying match with strong Tunisia, they will have a big reinforcement. According to numerous reports, Mali Football Federation has finally managed to persuade Abdoulaye Doucoure to switch from France to Mali, a birth country of his parents. It seems that the years of persuading, but mainly the persistent omission from the French squad finally got to the Everton midfielder, and he decided to switch sides. Mali has gotten Abdoulaye Doucoure to switch nationality. Such a massive capture.They’re now working on striker Moussa Dembele and Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate.Will be an interesting blend if they succeed.— Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) February 23, 2022 Doucoure was born in France to Malian parents, and has represented France in U17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 categories, but he never made it to the senior squad. Unfortunately for him, the French squad is just too strong, and manager Didier Dechamps decided to leave him out for the last couple of years, while Mali approached him several times since 2019, but he always rejected it, stating his desire to play for France. “The France team was my goal and I was not ready to come to Mali. This is not the right time to represent Mali. My goal has always been the French team, I was born in France, I have my ties in France. I also have ties to Mali, in my parents’ country, which is why I help a lot whenever I can” said Doucoure in 2020, via African Football. (1.20) LIVERPOOL (8.00) LEEDS (14.0)But, the Malian continued to press and push, and recently, Mali president confirmed to Liverpool Echo that they are in negotiations with Doucoure, but also Moussa Dembele and Cheick Doucoure. And just today, journalist Saddick Adams has given an update and he claims that Doucoure to Mali is a done deal, and that the Malians are not finished yet. On the contrary, they are negotiating with Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool) and Moussa Dembele (Lyon) to switch sides too.Arsenal legend to Chelsea:’ Why did you sign Lukaku’?Everton midfielder will be a huge boost for this African nation, as he would join their Red Bull duo Camara (Salzburg) and Haidara (Leipzig). The Malian is versatile in midfield, as confirmed by Real Madrid boss himself. “He can play everywhere on the pitch. He can play number 10, in behind, in front of the defence, his work defensively is really good. He is learning a lot tactically as well. He has a fantastic ability for the transition when we catch the ball. He is fantastic box-to-box” said former Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti.
