Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita returned yesterday to the Mali squad for first time since his self-imposed exile from international football after the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 31-year-old two-time Champions League winner was named by coach Alain Giresse in the 24-man squad for the crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with surprise Group A leaders Cape Verde where a win for ‘The Eagles’ on September 3 would see them leapfrog their direct opponents.

Keita will be making his 62nd international appearance.

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