Mali vs Senegal are set to clash in a high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations 2025 quarter-final match in Morocco. Senegal, one of the tournament favourites and defending champions from 2021, earned their spot in the knockout rounds with a strong comeback win in the Round of 16.
Meanwhile, Mali progressed after a dramatic penalty shootout victory despite playing much of their last match with 10 men. This West African derby promises tactical intensity and contrasting styles as Senegal look to maintain their momentum and Mali aim to pull off an upset.
Mali has shown grit in reaching the quarter-finals for the second consecutive AFCON, highlighted by their resilient performance against Tunisia despite playing with 10 men for over 100 minutes.
Coach Eric Chelle deals with suspensions and injuries: Sassuolo right-back Woyo Coulibaly is banned after a red card, while midfielder Mahamadou Doumbia is expected to miss out due to injury. The Eagles aim to leverage their midfield talent, including Premier League stars like Yves Bissouma, to upset the favorites.
Senegal, runners-up in 2019 and champions in 2021, progressed with a comeback 3-1 victory over Sudan, where Sadio Mané set a record for the most assists in AFCON history.
Coach Pape Thiaw welcomes back former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly from suspension, but left-back Ismail Jakobs is a doubt. El Hadji Malick Diouf may deputize, as the Lions focus on their attacking depth to secure a semi-final spot.
Mali vs Senegal – Date, Time, Predictions, and More
In the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals at Grand Stade de Tanger, this all-West African clash pits Mali’s disciplined underdogs against Senegal’s experienced powerhouse.
Mali’s compact defense and counter-threats could frustrate Senegal’s fluid attack, but the Lions’ star quality and recent form make them favorites in what promises to be a tense, potentially high-scoring derby with semi-final stakes on the line.
- Tournament: Africa Cup of Nations 2025 – Quarter-Final
- Match Date: Friday, January 9, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 17:00 GMT / 18:00 Local
- Venue: Grand Stade de Tanger, Tangier, Morocco
- Recent Form (All Competitions):
- Senegal Form: Strong tournament performance with solid attacking displays and defensive control.
- Mali Form: Drawn all group matches and advanced via penalty shootout in Round of 16
Team News and Analysis
Mali will miss suspended right-back Woyo Coulibaly, with a replacement likely stepping in, and midfielder Mahamadou Doumbia sidelined by injury. Their resilience shone in the penalty win over Tunisia, but facing Senegal’s pace will test their backline. Coach Chelle emphasizes midfield energy to disrupt the Lions’ rhythm.
Senegal sees Kalidou Koulibaly return from suspension to bolster the defense, while Ismail Jakobs is questionable, potentially seeing El Hadji Malick Diouf at left-back. Their comeback against Sudan highlighted depth, with Coach Thiaw prioritizing possession to exploit Mali’s occasional lapses in a must-win quarter-final.
Head-to-Head Record
Senegal and Mali have a long rivalry across international football, meeting over 40 times historically. Senegal hold the advantage, unbeaten in multiple recent clashes and leading the head-to-head overall.
Although recent specific scorelines vary, Senegal have dominated modern encounters and remain unbeaten in the last 10 meetings with Mali across competitions.
| Matches | Senegal Wins | Mali Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 19 | 8 | 14 |
Mali vs Senegal Predicted XI Lineups
- Mali Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Diarra; Traore, Diaby, Camara, Dante; Lassana Coulibaly, Dieng; Sangare, Bissouma, Doumbia; Sinayoko.
This formation focuses on midfield solidity with Bissouma dictating play and Sinayoko leading the attack.
- Senegal Predicted XI (4-3-3): Mendy; Diatta, Seck, Niakhaté, Jakobs (or Diouf); Diarra, Idrissa Gueye, Pape Gueye; Sarr, Jackson, Mane.
Senegal’s setup leverages midfield depth and wing speed with Mane and Sarr supporting Jackson.
Key Players
For Mali, Yves Bissouma anchors midfield with his Premier League experience, while Boubacar Kouyate provides defensive leadership and Lassana Coulibaly adds energy.
Senegal relies on Sadio Mane for his record assists and goals, Kalidou Koulibaly for defensive command, and Nicolas Jackson for finishing prowess.
Mali vs Senegal Match Prediction
Senegal enter this quarter-final as clear favourites, boasting strong attacking firepower, defensive discipline, and unbeaten recent form vs Mali. Mali’s resilience tests their tactical mettle, but Senegal’s superior squad depth and goal threat make them likely to advance.
Where to Watch Mali vs Senegal
Coverage of the Africa Cup of Nations is available across major broadcasters, including Channel 4 (UK), beIN Sports (US, France), SuperSport (Africa) and others depending on region. Streaming options and local rights may vary. Coverage begins before the 12:00 PM ET kickoff, with highlights available on FWCN or the official CAF YouTube channel.
