Mapemba, Kaseke pull out of Warriors squad

ruled out of the Mali tie after picking up injuries ahead of the African Cup of Nations showdown in Bamako.
Cyprus-based Kaseke, who was expected to jet in today ahead of the crucial Group A qualifier, was stretchered off the pitch in the 60th minute with a left thigh injury during a First Division match against Apollon in Cyprus on Saturday night. Mapemba riled the Warriors team management when he only revealed his injury after turning up for camp late last night.
Following the late blow, coach Norman Mapeza has recalled FC Platinum defender Daniel Veremu and in-form Dynamos right back David Kutyauripo to the Warriors fold.
Mapemba could have been the natural cover for Kaseke who is equally at home in defence as he is in a central midfield.
But unlike Kaseke, who was injured on club duty on Saturday night, it emerged that CAPS United defender Mapemba had actually missed his club’s training last week because of injury and somehow chose to inform the Warriors technical department late, to the chagrin of team manager Sharrif Mussa and Mapeza.
Kaseke and Mapemba’s injuries bring to four the number of players who have been forced to pull of the trip to Bamako.
Kaizer Chiefs hitman Knowledge Musona and Plymouth Argyle defender Onismor Bhasera have also been ruled out of the crucial tie. Musona became the first player to be sidelined after dislocating his shoulder during an ABSA Premiership match in South Africa two weeks ago.
He has been replaced by Libya-based Cuthbert Malajila.
Bhasera withdrew after picking up a knee injury that initially thought to be a minor knock. Coach Mapeza conceded that it is a major setback.
“It’s a disaster really. It is part of the game that players get injured but not losing two or more players on the eve of the match. We just hope there won’t be more casualties before the game.
“We also hope that all the players arrive on time and we maximise on the short time we have before we leave,” said Mapeza.
The team is expected to leave early Wednesday.
The South African-based players didn’t have league commitments this weekend after the South African Football Association gave way to preparations for the Bafana Bafana clash against Egypt on Saturday.
The European-based trio of Vusa Nyoni, Ovidy Karuru and Justice Majabvi are expected to arrive at midday today as is Sudan-based Edward Sadomba.
Sadomba was expected to catch his flight at dawn today after featuring for Al Hilal in the Champions League clash with Angolan side Recreativo Caala last night.
“All the South African based players are here. And we expect the European based players to be in by lunchtime.
“We have called Daniel Veremu to be part of the camp after we received the message that Noel can no longer be part of the team.
“And the coaches will decide the final 18 on Tuesday,” said Mussa.
Meanwhile, Mali coach Alain Giresse has overlooked Barcelona’s Seydou Keita for the match against Zimbabwe on Saturday.
The midfielder has not played for the Eagles since the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations after taking an international break last year. Last week, Keita announced his desire to return to the national team.
However, Giresse says he will only select the Barcelona star after meeting with him to discuss his intentions.
“After the match (on 26 March), I will go to Barcelona to go even further in talks with the player,” the Frenchman said on Thursday.
After Frederic Kanoute’s retirement at the 2010 Nations Cup, Keita is Mali’s most high-profile player. Former Real Madrid star Mahamadou Diarra, who now plays for Monaco in France, does make the squad. So do key strikers Modibo Maiga and Garra Dembele, with the latter having been handed a suspended eight-month prison sentence for drink-driving in Bulgaria last month.
Mali lie second in Group A with three points, trailing leaders Cape Verde by a point. Having lost their opener 1-0 to the islanders last September, Mali kick-started their campaign by beating Liberia 2-1 in October.
Mali squad:
Goalkeepers: Oumar Sissoko (FC Metz, France), Soumaïla Diakite (Stade Malien), Almamy Sogoba (AS Real).
Defenders: Adama Tamboura (FC Metz), Drissa Diakite (OBC Nice, France), Idrissa Coulibaly (Al Ahly Tripoli, Libya), Cédric Kante (Panathinaïkos, Greece), Mohamed Fofana (Toulouse, France), Kalifa Cisse (Bristol City, England), Ousmane Berthe (Jomo Cosmos, South Africa).
Midfielders: Mahamadou Diarra (Monaco, France), Kalilou Traore (OB Odense, Denmark), Abdou Traore (Nice, France), Souleymane Keita (Sivasspor, Turkey), Sigamady Diarra (FC Lorient, France), Samba Sow (RC Lens, France), Ismaël Keita (FC Nantes, France), El Hadj Mahamane Traore (FC Metz).
Forwards: Sambou Yatabare (Caen, France), Modibo Maiga (FC Sochaux, France), Garra Dembele (Levski Sofia, Bulgaria), Cheick Tidiani Diabate (Bordeaux, France), Tènèma N’Diaye (FC Metz).