Mali will begin their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) journey without influential midfielder Yves Bissouma, who has been ruled out of the Group A clash against Zambia scheduled for Monday at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, Bold Sports reports.
While the absence of the captain is a setback, head coach Tom Saintfiet believes the tournament is long enough for the midfielder to make a decisive impact still.
Bissouma is among three Malian players unavailable for the opener, with central defender Sikou Niakate and right back Hamari Traore also sidelined. The 29-year-old has struggled for continuity in recent months following injury problems, limiting his involvement at both club and international levels.
Although he is expected to miss their opening game, Bissouma’s recovery is progressing well. Saintfiet confirmed that the midfielder has returned to training and could be considered for Mali’s second group match against hosts Morocco in Rabat on Friday.
“In many major tournaments, some players start with injuries and then become most dangerous in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, or final,” Saintfiet said.
The coach underlined Bissouma’s influence beyond the pitch, describing him as central to the team’s structure and mentality.
“Yves is my captain, he’s important, he’s the leader of our team and we have assurances that Yves will be ready during the tournament. When the matches get tougher, we’ll be glad to have him with us. We need a captain who’s present both mentally and physically,” Saintfiet added.
Mali will aim to secure a strong start in Bissouma’s absence while hoping their leader returns at full strength as the competition intensifies.
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