Southampton supporters can catch their first glimpse of new signing Moussa Djenepo when the exciting young winger represents Mali at this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt; which officially kicks off this weekend.
The 21-year-old, who has nine caps for the Eagles, faces competition from Tunisia, Mauritania and Angola in Group E.
The top two from each group and four best third-placed countries will progress to the last 16 of the 24-team tournament, which follows the same format as the European Championships.
Mali, two-time AFCON semi-finalists, were edged out 3-2 by Algeria in their latest warm-up fixture, where Djenepo featured for 72 minutes. They officialy start their campaign against Mauritania on Monday 24th June.
They then face well-fancied Tunisia four days later, before going head to head with Angola on Tuesday 2nd July.
Saints’ Sofiane Boufal will also be in action, having been called up by Morocco, who are in Group D with Ivory Coast, South Africa and Namibia.
Host nation Egypt, led by Liverpool’s Mo Salah, are the favourites to lift the trophy when the tournament concludes in Cairo on Friday 19th July.
MALI FIXTURES
Mon 24: Mali v Mauritania
Fri 28: Tunisia v Mali
Tue 2: Angola v Mali
MOROCCO FIXTURES
Sun 23: Morocco v Namibia
Fri 28: Morocco v Ivory Coast
Mon 1: South Africa v Morocco
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