The Stats Zone
June 21 2019, 18:29 · Trystan Pugh

2019 Africa Cup of Nations – Mali vs Mauritania Preview & Prediction

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THE FACTS

When is Mali vs Mauritania taking place? Monday 24th June, 2019 – 21:00 (UK)

Where is Mali vs Mauritania taking place? Suez Stadium, Suez

What television channel is Mali vs Mauritania on? Eurosport 2

Where can I stream Mali vs Mauritania? Subscribers can stream the match via Eurosport Player

Where can I get tickets for Mali vs Mauritania? https://www.footballticketnet.com/2019-africa-cup-of-nations

THE TEAM NEWS

MALI

  • Mali made it through to consecutive semi-finals in 2012 and 2013 but have failed to progress out of the group stage since and they have not won a match during the last two editions of the tournament.
  • They qualified with ease from a group containing Burundi, Gabon and South Sudan; they didn’t lose a game and only conceded twice during the campaign.
  • Although there is not a vast amount of international experience in the squad with only three of the outfield players possessing in excess of 20 caps, Mali have a number of excellent talents plying their trade in Europe with Amadou Haidara and Moussa Marega amongst them. Marega had an excellent UEFA Champions League campaign for Porto with six goals in the competition.

MAURITANIA

  • Mauritania are making their first ever appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations after finishing second in their qualifying group ahead of 2017 semi-finalists Burkina Faso.
  • They won all three of their home matches in qualifying but lost twice away from home which included a 4-1 defeat against Angola.
  • Pleased to just have qualified for the tournament, their expectations are low and any positive results they gain will be a bonus.

THE PREDICTION

Mali have not won a match during the last two editions of the tournament and they have a favourable opening fixture against debutants Mauritania as they look to end that streak. Mali are the much stronger team on paper and they should be able to transfer that into superiority on the pitch. Mauritania have no pressure and will look to enjoy the occasion as much as they can, but their debut match at the Africa Cup of Nations is likely to end in defeat.