Mali Vs Mozambique

The highly anticipated 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers commence in Group I with an exciting encounter between Mali and Mozambique. This match, set to unfold at Stade 26 Mars in Bamako this Friday, promises to be a captivating start to the qualification campaign.

Mali enters this qualifying round with the ambition to reassert their dominance on the African football stage. Known for their rich history in the Africa Cup of Nations, Mali stands as one of the most seasoned teams in the tournament’s history. With 13 previous AFCON qualifications, the Eagles are the most experienced side in Group I, consistently proving their capability to compete at the highest level.

The Malian team’s track record in recent qualifiers reflects their strong performance. In the last four editions of the AFCON qualifiers, Mali has secured a minimum of four wins in each campaign. Notably, during the 2023 qualifiers, they achieved five victories and matched their second-highest goal tally ever in the qualifiers. This impressive form underlines their credentials as serious contenders in the current qualifying round.

Under the new stewardship of Tom Saintfiet, Mali is entering a new phase. Appointed on August 28, Saintfiet replaces Eric Chelle, who was dismissed on June 13 despite leading Mali to the quarter-finals of the AFCON earlier this year in Ivory Coast. Saintfiet, a veteran coach with extensive experience across various African national teams, faces the task of guiding the Eagles through the 2025 qualifiers. His debut match against Mozambique will be a significant test of his ability to lead the team into a successful new era.

Recent competitive performances by Mali have been somewhat inconsistent, adding an element of uncertainty as Saintfiet takes charge. The team recently played to a 0-0 draw against Madagascar in Johannesburg, where they struggled to capitalize on their dominance. This was preceded by a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Ghana at home in Bamako, creating additional pressure for the team to deliver a strong performance in front of their home fans.

Mozambique arrives at Stade 26 Mars with a strong resolve to challenge the group favorites, Mali. Although their historical record against Mali is less favorable—having been defeated 2-1 in their sole previous encounter during the 2014 AFCON—the Mambas are poised to make a significant impact this time around.

The recent form of Mozambique’s national team underscores their potential to compete fiercely in the qualifiers. The Mambas have shown resilience and consistency, with their last loss in regular time occurring in January 2024 when they were defeated 3-0 by Cape Verde. Since then, their only other defeat came in the COSAFA Cup, where they narrowly lost to Namibia in a penalty shootout.

Mozambique’s unbeaten streak across various competitions, including their AFCON campaign, World Cup qualifiers, and the COSAFA Cup, highlights their solid performance and determination. Their recent third-place finish in the COSAFA Cup, one of their best performances since finishing as runners-up in 2015, is indicative of their preparedness for the AFCON qualifiers. This recent success has bolstered their confidence and readiness to take on the challenge posed by Mali.

The clash between Mali and Mozambique marks an intriguing start to the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. With Mali’s rich history and experience, coupled with Mozambique’s recent form and resilience, this match promises to deliver exciting football and set the tone for the remainder of the qualification campaign. As both teams strive to assert their positions, fans can expect a competitive and high-stakes encounter that could have significant implications for the rest of Group I’s qualification process.