As part of their preparations for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, the Algerian national team has adjusted its pre-tournament schedule by changing its planned friendly opponent. Initially set to face the Democratic Republic of Congo, Algeria will now take on Mali in a warm-up match ahead of the continental competition. The change was officially confirmed by the president of the Malian Football Federation during an interview with Radio Algeria International.
The friendly match between Algeria and Mali is scheduled for Sunday, June 16, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This encounter will serve as a key preparatory test for both teams as they fine-tune their squads and tactical approaches ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place in Egypt from June 21 to July 19. With the tournament fast approaching, the match offers an important opportunity for both coaching staffs to assess player fitness, cohesion, and overall readiness.
Mali’s head coach, Mohamed Magassouba, welcomed the opportunity to face Algeria, highlighting the significance of the fixture in the build-up to the tournament. Speaking on Radio Algeria International, he described the match as an ideal test that would help his team make final adjustments before the start of the AFCON. Magassouba also praised Algeria’s stature in African football, noting that the Fennecs are widely regarded as one of the continent’s strongest and most respected national sides.
The decision to replace DR Congo with Mali as Algeria’s friendly opponent is closely linked to a change in the Algerian Football Federation’s preparation plans. Originally, Algeria had intended to hold its training camp in Spain. However, the FAF ultimately opted to relocate the camp to the United Arab Emirates. Since Mali also chose the UAE as its base for pre-tournament preparations, arranging a friendly between the two sides became a logical and practical solution.
From a sporting perspective, the match promises to be competitive and instructive. Both teams are known for their technical quality, physical intensity, and growing ambitions on the African stage. For Algeria, the encounter will provide valuable insight into their readiness to compete against strong opposition, while Mali will benefit from testing themselves against one of the favorites for the title.
At the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Algeria has been drawn into Group C, where they will face Senegal, Kenya, and Tanzania. Mali, meanwhile, will compete in Group E alongside Tunisia, Angola, and Mauritania. The expanded format of the tournament, which will feature 24 teams for the first time in its history, adds further importance to strong group-stage performances. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 16.
With this friendly match in Abu Dhabi, both Algeria and Mali will aim to complete their preparations on a positive note and head into the AFCON with confidence and momentum.
