Spotlight - Mali

After fielding what was arguably the most talented squad outside the big name countries in 2010, Mali will be arriving at the 2012 edition of the African Cup of Nations without most of those big names.


Here are some of Mali's 'fallen stars', who will not be attending this year's African Soccer festival -


Frederic Kanoute - Sevilla, Spain

Kanouté, African Footballer of the year 2007, was joint top goal scorer for Mali at the 2004 African Cup of Nations. Kanouté scored four goals in four matches helping Mali to the semi-finals, where they lost to Morocco. 


He announced his retirement from international football following Mali's elimination from the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. The 34 year old has declined his country's call to come out of retirement and help their course in this year's tournament.


Mohammed Sissoko - Paris Saint-Germain, France

The ex-Valencia, Liverpool and Juventus man has informed the Mali FA that he would not be participating at this year's tournament. 


After battling with injuries for most of his stay at Juventus, 26 year old Sissoko, who recently moved to PSG is fit again. However, he is eager to make up for lost career time and is focusing on his Club obligations. 


His services and combination with new Skipper Seydou Keita in the midfield will be missed. Coincidentally, both players are nephews of the of former African Footballer of the Year Salif Keïta, who, like Sissoko, played for Mali and Valencia CF


Mahamadou Diarra - Unattached

After leaving Real Madrid in January 2011, Diarra joined French side AS Monaco. The club struggled and were eventually relegated at the end of the season. Since then, Mali's ex-captain has been without a club. 


Citing concerns with his lack of club action and general fittness, the Malian FA and Manager have elected not to recall Diarra to the squad. Not having Diarra in this year's competition is a loss to the continent.


So who's going to carry the touch for Mali in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea in the absence of these three stalwarts?


Seydou Keita - Barcalona, Spain

The Mali Eagles new Skipper is a tested warrior. Playing in a fully loaded Barcalona team, the talented 31 year old has found a way to make himself continuously useful to the club's goals and ambitions. 


A versatile midfielder, he can operate as both a central or defensive midfielder. He became the first Malian Barcelona player ever when he signed for the club in 2008. The Eagles can still definetly fly on Keita's wings in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea


Modibo Maiga - Sochaux, France

Modibo Maiga currently plays for Sochaux. He is a forward who can play as a winger.


During the 2010–11 campaign Maiga struck up a 30 goal partnership with Nigerian, Ideye Brown each scoring 15 goals. Between them, they scored over half of FC Sochaux's league goals. Maiga and Brown were assisted by playmakeing duo Marvin Martin and Ryad Boudebouz as Sochaux qualified for the Europa League.


On December 13, 2011, it was reported that Maiga had successfully passed a medical to join Newcastle United for $10 Million. However, three days later the club announced that he had failed his medical, prompting the deal to fall through.


Ironically, Newcastle's current striker, Demba Ba had reportedly failed a medical at Stoke before signing for Newcastle. 15 goals in 20 games later (including a hat trick against Stoke), Newcastle are smiling to the bank. Maiga has every intention of making Newcastle pay for dumping him - 


"I am mentally fine, I wanted that move to Newcastle badly," said Maiga. However, it did not happen as they said my knee has a problem - but I feel better than anything.


Newcastle's loss could be Mail's gain. Look for this young man to have an emphatic Cup of Nations