Belgium Calls Up Uncapped Mandela Keita for Euro Qualifiers

 Belgium Calls Up Uncapped Mandela Keita for Euro Qualifiers

Mali Captain Setdou Keita and Captain of Niger Maazou Moussa pose with the match officials before the 2013 African Cup of Nations Group B match between Mali and Niger at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.(Image-Getty)

Belgium's national football team has made an addition to their squad for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Austria and Sweden. Uncapped midfielder Mandela Keita, aged 21 and representing Belgian champions Royal Antwerp, has been called up as a reinforcement in the midfield. This decision marks the only change to the 24-man squad compared to last month's matches against Azerbaijan and Estonia.

Belgium is scheduled to face Austria in a crucial top-of-the-table clash in Vienna on October 13, followed by a home match against Sweden in Brussels three days later. Coach Domenico Tedesco explained the selection of Keita, emphasizing the need for physicality in the midfield against these two opponents.

Notably, Belgium has been dealing with key players' injuries, with captain Kevin De Bruyne and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois sidelined due to long-term injuries. However, Tedesco expressed satisfaction with the return of top scorer Romelu Lukaku to action with AS Roma, highlighting the positive impact on both Lukaku and the national team.

Belgium currently shares the top spot in Group F with Austria, as both teams have accumulated 13 points from five matches. In contrast, Sweden trails behind in third place with six points.

Here is the squad for the upcoming qualifiers:

**Goalkeepers:**

- Arnaud Bodart (Standard Liege)

- Koen Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg)

- Thomas Kaminski (Luton Town)

- Matz Sels (Racing Strasbourg)

**Defenders:**

- Ameen Al-Dakhil (Burnley)

- Timothy Castagne (Fulham)

- Zeni Debast (Anderlecht)

- Wout Faes (Leicester City)

- Arthur Theate (Stade Rennes)

- Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht)

**Midfielders:**

- Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab)

- Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta)

- Olivier Deman (Werder Bremen)

- Mandela Keita (Royal Antwerp)

- Orel Mangala (Nottingham Forest)

- Amadou Onana (Everton)

- Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa)

**Forwards:**

- Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven)

- Mitchy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce)

- Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)

- Romelu Lukaku (AS Roma)

- Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla)

- Lois Openda (RB Leipzig)

- Leonardo Trossard (Arsenal)