Valenciennes striker Samassa (in red) has been called up again by Mali

Mali coach Stephen Keshi has called up forward Mamadou Samassa to the Eagles' squad for their World Cup qualifier against Benin next month.

This is the second time the 23-year-old former France Under-21 star has been named by Mali, but last time he was unable to play because of his age.

But football's world governing body Fifa has since changed its rules.

The Mali Football Federation (FMF) said they were trying to get a ruling from Fifa before the game against Benin.

When Samassa was called-up in May, Fifa's rules stated that players who had already represented a country at age-group level could switch nationalities only before they turned 21.

But that rule has now been revised to remove the age limit, allowing this second chance to the player.

Mali hope that by naming him in the squad, they will prove to Fifa that Samassa has a future with them.

The Eagles are five points behind Ghana in second place in Group D of African World and Nations Cup qualifying.

They play Benin in Cotonou on 6 September.

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