Mali Coach Drops Diarra, Kante,Soumaila

Mali coach Stephen Keshi has left out Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra of his 25-man squad released for next month's 2010 joint qualifiers against Ghana and Benin.

The list also excludes experienced duo Soumaïla Coulibaly (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Cédric Kanté of OG Nice due to injuries.

The Eagles host the Black Stars on 7 June in Bamako before playing Benin in a fortnight.

Keshi has invited defender Cheick Oumar Bello of local side ASKO and Olympique Marseille striker Mahamadou Samassi.

Making a return to the team is Juventus midfielder Mohamed Lamine Sissoko, who just returned to action from a long lay off.