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Afcon 2019: Mali send Niane home after altercation with team captain Diaby

The Mali squad has been reduced to 22 players following the expulsion of forward Adama Niane.

The Mali Football Federation (Femafoot), as well as the coaching staff of the Eagles, decided to expel Niane after he allegedly slapped team captain Abdoulaye Diaby.

"Adama Niane was excluded from the Eagles group for non-respect," Mali team's media officer Ibrahim Zie Coulibaly was quoted as saying on EuroSport.

While the Mali team media officer did not offer full details on why Niane was axed, reports claim the striker was involved in an alleged altercation with his captain over taking turns for a haircut.