FC BARCELONA

The midfielder broke down in tears during the Africa Cup on Nations post-match press conference, after 20 people died in clashes in the player’s home country. On his Malian teammates, Seydou Keita said, “we’re celebrating our win but at the same time we are very sad”.

Seydou Keita called for an end to the violence in Mali after 20 people died in clashes in the Timbuktu region of the country. “The president of the Republic is doing everything he can to stop it ... I plead with the people to stop. It’s not normal, we don’t do this kind of thing. We need peace, we are all Malian,” the player told Reuters. During the post-match press conference, after Mali beat Gabon in a penalty shootout, the Barça midfielder broke into tears as he talked about his home country: “we are celebrating our victory but at the same time we are very sad. There is sadness among the players.” (via FCBarcelona.cat)

FC Barcelona still can not tell a week with Seydou Keita after achieving classified the selection of Mali to the semifinals of the African Cup . Barca midfielder has been precisely the author of the decisive penalty which classifies the Malian combined for the next round after sentencing Gabon , in a party whose regular time had ended in a draw (1-1).

Mouloungui had advanced to the co-hosts with a goal on 55 minutes but Diabité , with six minutes left, scored the 1-1. In extra time there have been more goals, despite very clear of Barca once Keita , and Mali has ended up getting the ticket to semis on penalties (4-5). (via MD)

Seydou Keita, who is playing in the Africa Cup of Nations with his national team, was key in Mali’s victory over Botswana (2-1). The FC Barcelona midfielder scored the second and decisive goal. With this victory, Mali ensured qualification to the quarterfinal round of the competition and they will play Gabon on Feb. 5. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

The first team returned to training on Tuesday with all of the available players present, apart from the Malian, who has left to join his national team.

Seydou Keita was the main absentee today. He is with the Mali national team getting ready for the African Nations Cup which starts on the 21st in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Whenever he returns depends on how the side performs, in a tournament where they share a group with Ghana, Botswana and host nation Equatorial Guinea.

But everybody else was there, including those that had gone to Zurich the day before and who were applauded onto the pitch by their team-mates this morning. The session also featured Cuenca of Barça B, and former player Rafa Márquez, who also trained with the group on Saturday.

The squad will train again on Wednesday, the final session before playing the second leg of their round of 16 Copa del Rey tie at Osasuna (Thursday, 22.00, TV3 and Telecinco). (via FCBarcelona.cat)

The staff of Barca loses one of its most important supporting cast for several weeks.

Africa Cup is coming and Barca will be without one of their players, Seydou Keita during a key period of the competition. The African tournament starts on January 21 and ends on February 12th, so if things go well for the selection of Mali, the midfielder will leave after playing the derby against Espanyol on Sunday January 8 and would not return to mid-February.

Alain Giresse, combined coach of Mali, has planned a stage prior to the competition of 11 to 20 January which will be held in Lome (Togo). One day before the start of the stage, the technician will give the final list of 23 players who will try to win the title in Gabon and mainland Equatorial Guinea. It is safe to Barca, whose last game for the club in January will be the match against Espanyol. Around the knockout round of the Copa del Rey in Pamplona is scheduled for January 12, so unless a special permit to mediate part of Mali, Keita will join their compatriots in the January 11 Lomé.

The midfielder will be the leader and the great respect of his selection, after Kanoute decided to put an end to the international stage. Mali is planning a friendly match on January 19 you still no rival ¿, in what will be the last test before beginning official competition. Alain Giresse's debut on January 24 against Guinea. In the same group D are Ghana and Botswana. The quarterfinals are played on 4 and 5 February, while the semifinals are scheduled for day 8 and the final will be played on February 12 in Libreville. (via SPORT)