Morocco vs Mali Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Host nation and pre-tournament favourites Morocco have started their CAF Africa Cup of Nations very well as the Atlas Lions continue with a clash against Mali this week.
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
Morocco preview: Brilliant Morocco
Morocco’s pre-tournament 25-match unbeaten run of form was extended to 26 matches in their opening game the other day as they defeated Comoros by two goals to nil at the Stade Prince Moulay Abellah in the capital city of Rabat.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists eased to a comfortable opening day victory, courtesy of a strike from Real Madrid man Brahim Diaz before a spectacular overhead kick scored by Olympiacos striker Ayoub El Kaabi.
Mali preview: Steady Mali
Mali began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Zambia at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca. El Bilal Toure initially missed a penalty for the Malians in the first-half, but Lassine Sinayoko still gave them a lead mid-way through the second-half.
Their victory was denied late on, though, as Leicester City striker Patson Daka notched a second-half stoppage-time equaliser for the Zambians. That was typically frustrating for a Mali side that an often be guilty of lacking incision in the final third.
Morocco team news: Saiss injury
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Romain Saiss was forced off through injury early on against Comoros, while Lille striker Hamza Igamane is missing for the time being.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Bono; Mazraoui, Aguerd, El Yamiq, Hakimi; El Aynaoui, Amrabat, Ounahi; Brahim Diaz, Rahimi, Saibari
Unavailable: Igamane (Injured)
Questionable: Saiss (Injured)
Mali team news: Haidara should come in
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the aforementioned Toure now dropped to the bench, having been subbed off in the second-half, with RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara surely getting a start.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): D. Diarra; W. Coulibaly, Diaby, Fofana, Dante; Sangare, Dieng, Haidara; Sinayoko, K. Doumbia, Nene
Unavailable:
Questionable: Niakate (Injured), Bissouma (Injured)
Morocco vs Mali prediction
Morocco are brilliant. They have a much better squad, both in terms of depth and quality, than the iteration of the north Africans that became the first African side to reach the final four of a FIFA World Cup. Mali head to Morocco knowing that they will likely have to settle for being second best for large parts, and will try to hang on in there, but the Moroccans have to remain favourites.
Morocco vs Mali tip: Morocco to win & under 3.5 goals
