Valencia internationals: Dieng regains Mali start, Dimitrievski suffers in Oblak face-off | OneFootball

Valencia’s internationals endured contrasting nights as Aliou Dieng reclaimed a starting berth for Mali and Stole Dimitrievski’s North Macedonia fell in Slovenia.

According to Superdeporte, Dieng returned to the XI in Monrovia after starting on the bench against Cape Verde. His selection drew social media criticism, yet he produced a disciplined defensive display and sat second in MVP voting before late fan ballots.

Mali dominated Liberia and won late through Ange Tia on 82 minutes. They have two wins and share Group K lead with Rwanda, leaving Cape Verde and Liberia trailing. A former captain, Dieng is now competing for a midfield place under Anthony da Silva.

In Ljubljana, Dimitrievski again started and captained North Macedonia in UEFA Nations League Group B1, but Jan Oblak’s Slovenia were superior. Lovric scored on 55 minutes and Matko added a second on 82.

After a 0-3 opening loss to Switzerland, North Macedonia sit in the relegation play-off place. Switzerland lead on six points, two ahead of Slovenia.

Both will return to Paterna to meet Javier Aguirre’s new staff. North Macedonia host Scotland on Saturday 3 October at 20:45, then visit Switzerland on Tuesday 6 at the same time. Mali play a friendly on 3 October in Tunisia at 14:00 in Spain.

B-team duo Amos Wanjala and Román Davis are also away. Venezuela face South Korea on Friday at 13:00 in Spain, while Kenya play Guinea on Thursday at 18:00 in AFCON qualifying.

Source: Superdeporte

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