Mali vs Senegal Preview: Team News & Prediction
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The first CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final takes place at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier as a solid but often underwhelming Mali take on the stars of Senegal.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Matches will be televised across the Channel 4 network / USA – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – All 4 & Channel 4 Sport YouTube / USA – beIN Sports Connect & Fubo
Mali preview: Steady Malians
Under the management of former Gambia boss Tom Saintfiet, the Malians, who are currently ranked 53rd in the world, have been surprisingly steady in this tournament after a couple of years of underwhelming underperformance of late.
They produced a fairly major upset in the round of 16 of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations against a strong Tunisia side in Casablanca the other day, edging through on penalties after, with ten men, they snatched a dramatic 96th minute equaliser for extra-time.
Senegal preview: Strong Senegalese
Pape Thiaw has a very strong Senegal side at his disposal side, and they will be expected to be more than competitive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup later this year, as well as perhaps winning their second African title in the last three tournaments.
The Lions of Teranga, as they are nicknamed, eased through the group stages with seven points collected before hammering the Sudanese by three goals to one in the knockouts, courtesy of a brace from Pape Gueye stealing the show.
Mali team news: Coulibaly suspended
Sassuolo right-back Woyo Coulibaly, who is on loan in Serie A from Leicester City, is missing through suspension as he was sent off against the Tunisians, while Mahamadou Doumbia is also expected to sit out due to injury. Amadou Haidara has returned from suspension.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): D. Diarra; Traore, Diaby, O. Camara, Dante; Bissouma, Dieng; Sangare, L. Coulibaly, K. Doumbia; Sinayoko
Unavailable: W. Coulibaly (Suspended), Niakate (Injured), G. Diarra (Injured)
Questionable: Ma. Doumbia (Injured)
Senegal team news: Koulibaly returns
Former Chelsea and Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly missed the clash with Sudan due to suspension but he has returned, while El Hadji Malick Diouf may start at left-back as a result of Ismail Jakobs being a doubt.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): E. Mendy; Diatta, Koulibaly, Niakhate, E. Diouf; Diarra, I. Gueye, P. Gueye; I. Sarr, Jackson, Mane
Unavailable: I. Camara (Injured), Diao (Injured)
Questionable: Jakobs (Injured)
Mali vs Senegal prediction
Senegal have an extremely impressive squad with a lot of depth and, even with a couple of injury issues, they remain one of the absolute best sides on the continent – which only a few teams can say in Africa. Mali will be stubborn and awkward to play against, with a bit of talent in the final third such as Kamory Doumbia and Lassine Sinayoko, but the Senegalese are firm favourites to head through to the semi-finals.
Mali vs Senegal tip: Senegal to win & under 3.5 goals
