Gillingham's new striker Mamady Sidibe is training with the Mali squad with a view to playing in their qualifiers for the African Nations championship.

Sidibe is spending a week training with the team, and could play in their next international against Zimbabwe.

"It's a good opportunity for me to play for my national team," he said.

"I prefer to play for Mali rather than France because I was born in Mali. It's better for me and my family."

Sidibe joined Gillingham from Swansea.

The Welsh club had signed him from French club CA Paris.