Mali head coach Eric Sekou Chelle has named his 27-man squad set for the Africa Cup of Nations where they are grouped with South Africa, Namibia and Tunisia.
The West Africans, who are based on the border of the host nation, Ivory Coast, will undoubtedly have strong home support in Khorogo where Group E is based.
As such, they come into the continental showpiece as genuine dark horses, while boasting some immense talent from across Europe.
Les Aigles reached the last-16 in the last two AFCON tournaments and will be led by experienced wing-back Hamari Traore from LaLiga side Real Sociedad.
They will face off against Guinea-Bissau this weekend before their tournament opener against Bafana Bagana at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium on 16 January.
Mali 27-man squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra (Young Africans SC), Aboubacar Doumbia (AFE), Ismael Diawarra (Malmo)
Defenders: Hamari Traore (Real Sociedad) Falate Sacko (Montpellier) Boubacar Kouyate (Amiens) Sikou Niakate (SC Braga), Mousa Diarra (Toulouse) Amadou Dante (Strum Graz)
Midfielders: Diadei Samassekou (Hoffenheim), Mohamed Camara (AS Monaco), Doudou Haidara (RB Leipzig), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly), Lassana Coulibaly (Salerntana) Kamory Doumbia (Brest), Adama Noss Traore (Hull City), Yves Bissouma (Tottenham) Boubacar Traore (Wolverhampton)
Forwards: Sekou Koita (RB Salzburg), Dorgeles Nene (RB Salzburg), Moussa Doumbia (Al Adala), Fousseni Diabate (Lausanne-Sport), Ibrahim Sissoko (Saint Etienne), Lassine Sinayoko (AJ Auxerre), Youssoufa Niakate (Baniyas), Serine Doucoure (Lorient)
