Mali midfielder Mahamadou Diarra opted to serve his country rather than play Real Madrid's crucial game against Mallorca in the Spanish Primera Liga final day on Sunday. Real need a win at the Bernabeu to be crowned champions, but Diarra believes that his national team's clash against Sierra Leone in the African Nations Cup qualifiers on Saturday is more important. "I'm going to go to Mali. After the game against Zaragoza (on Saturday, which ended 2-2) we are almost champions," Diarra was quoted as saying by BBC Sports. "Mali's game is in my home town and the national team is in a complicated situation." Mali are three points adrift of leaders Togo in Group 9, having 6 points from 4 games, with two matches to go. "For Mali, three points from this game are crucial, very important and I have an obligation to play for my country." Diarra has been a key player in Fabio Capello's midfield this season, despite having a shaky start after joining from Lyon last summer.
