Before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Mali wanted to secure the services of this Senegalese player. Unfortunately, he declined the offer for a very specific reason. This player is Moussa Niakhaté, the defender of the Teranga Lions.
The Senegalese player revealed that while he was playing for Metz, Mali contacted him to offer him a spot on their national team. Although he was aware of the great team he could have joined, he said no to the proposal.
Moussa Niakhaté turned down the offer simply because he is not Malian. According to him, he was contacted because his name seemed to be of Malian origin.
“I am Senegalese, I love this country, and I have always been coming here since I was a child. I can’t cheat with that, and I know I will be called when the time comes, but I will never do anything like hinting or anything like that. When I was at Metz, after three months, when I really started playing as a central defender, Mali called me to join their national team at 21 years old.
There is a reason why Mali called me and not Senegal. Despite all the respect I have for Mali, which is an incredible nation and showed an extraordinary AFCON, I refused.
From the beginning of Mali’s call, I tried to tell them that I wasn’t Malian. But they were convinced otherwise. Simply because my name, Niakhaté, is very Malian. So, I let the call happen.
Then, I explained to them that I was Senegalese. And from that moment on, they respected my choice. I was waiting for Senegal, but I had to prove that I had the ability to play for the Lions,” he said.
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