Keita will have to wait a little longer to make his international return
Mali coach Alain Giresse has overlooked Barcelona's Seydou Keita for this month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at home to Zimbabwe.
The Spain-based 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.
"We will know after that meeting if there is any progress."
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 too 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 currently lie second in Group A of qualifying 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 when beating Liberia 2-1 in October.
Bookmark with:
What are these?