Mali have called up uncapped stricker Mana Dembele from French Mamodou Samassa in their training squad for the AFCON finals, officials said on Tuesday.
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Italy-based Samassa pulled out the team's preparations in Bamako because of injury.
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Dembele, who was born in Paris, has scored goals in Ligue 2 this season, prompting his 1st call up by Mali.
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The 24-year-old might yet not make the squad, however, as Mali coach Patrick Carteron has to cut five players before Wednesday's deadline for submitting his final 23 for the tournament in South Africa.