Despite making his return to action with Ajax Amsterdam, Yves Bissouma faces an extended wait before pulling on the 'Eagles' shirt once more. The midfielder has been omitted from the squad for the upcoming double-header against Rwanda, set for 13 and 17 November in matchdays three and four of the qualifying phase.

Addressing his selection dilemma, head coach Anthony Da Silva was quick to underline that the national team door remains firmly open to everyone, indicating that Bissouma's current absence is far from a definitive exile.

Two new faces for the 'Eagles'

Da Silva's list also features maiden senior call-ups for Swansea City prospect Moussa Yéo and West Ham talent Mahamadou Kanté. Elsewhere, Gaoussou Diakité and Fodé Doucouré have both earned recalls to the international fold after spending several months out of the picture.

Anthony Da Silva can also call upon a trusted core of seasoned stalwarts, spearheaded by Hamari Traoré, Amadou Haïdara, Aliou Dieng, Kamory Doumbia, and Lassine Sinayoko. Sitting pretty on six points from two games courtesy of wins over Cape Verde (3-1) and Liberia (1-0), Mali find themselves level at the summit of Group K with Rwanda. The 'Eagles' welcome their qualification rivals to Bamako on 13 November before making the trip to Kigali four days later.

Mali squad in full

Goalkeepers: Mamadou Samassa (Stade Lavallois), Djigui Diarra (Young Africans), Émile Doucouré (Genk).

Defenders: Ousmane Camara (Angers SCO), Modibo Sagnan (Rizespor), Daouda Guindo (Stade de Reims), Amadou Dante (Zbrojovka), Hamari Traoré (Paris FC), Nathan Gassama (Baltika Kaliningrad), Cheick Keita (Charleroi), Fodé Doucouré (FC Nantes).

Midfielders: Aliou Dieng (Valencia), Amadou Haïdara (RC Lens), Mahamadou Kanté (West Ham), Kamory Doumbia (Stade Brestois), Mamadou Sangaré (Brentford), Ousmane Diakité (West Bromwich Albion).

Forwards: Lassine Sinayoko (Paris FC), Moussa Yéo (Swansea City), Gaoussou Diakité (Salzburg), Mamadou Doumbia (Watford), Dorgelès Nene (Fenerbahçe), Gaoussou Diarra (Feyenoord), Mamadou Camara (Montpellier HSC).