Wolves' Bakary Sako must make a tough call
WOLVES winger Bakary Sako today admitted he faces a "very difficult decision" on whether to join Mali for the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
Paris-born Sako, who scored his fifth goal for the club in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Charlton, has delayed a decision on joining up with the country of his parents' birth to play in the tournament in Libya, which runs from January 19 to February 10.
Mali have been drawn in Group B with DR Congo – who can call on Albion midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu – Ghana and Nigeria after beating Botswana 7-1 on aggregate in their two-legged play-off.
And Mali, who have also included Wolves midfielder Tongo Doumbia in recent squads, have approached 24-year-old Sako asking if he wants to play for them.
Razak Boukari could also feature, for Togo, who have been drawn in Group D with Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Algeria. Should the trio go, they could miss up to six games for Wolves. Although only four Wolves matches fall between the tournament dates, the three would be required to join up with their squads earlier to prepare and train.
Asked if he would be joining Mali, Sako said: "I don't know at the moment – it's a very difficult decision. They want me to go with them and we'll see about it in time. At the moment I'm not sure.
"I've played for France at Under-21 level but I've never played for Mali before, even though both my parents are from Mali.
"I speak Malian too but I'll wait to make my choice.
"I don't know if there's a deadline I have to decide by, but I don't know if I'm going to play for France or Mali."
