2019 AFCON: Mali Goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa Declines Call Up For Being Denied No. 1 Spot

By
Noah Banjo
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Ghana's goalkeeper Fatau Dauda during the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations football match, Ghana Vs Mali at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa on January 24, 2013. Ghana won 1-0. Photo by Christian Liewig/NCI//ABACAPRESS.COM

Mali goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa has declined his call-up to the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after his request to be the first choice or number 1 was rejected by national team coach Mohamed Magassouba.

Samassa, who has 12 caps for The Eagles since joining in 2012, wanted guarantees that he will start in the competition, something his coach would not provide.

The 29-year-old former French under-20 goalkeeper was instrumental in helping Troyes to a playoff spot in the French Ligue 2 keeping 16 clean sheets and conceding 27 goals in 35 appearances.

Samassa has since been replaced by TP Mazembe shot stopper Ibrahim Mounkoro.

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