Mali reignited their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes with a commanding 3-0 win over Comoros in their Matchday 5 clash.
Playing as the away side at the Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco, the Eagles delivered an impressive performance, with Nene Dorgeles opening the scoring before Kamory Doumbia netted twice to seal the victory.
The result marks a strong start under new head coach Tom Saintfiet, who took over after Eric Chelle’s dismissal last June. Chelle had managed just one win in the first four games of Group I, prompting the change in leadership.
With this win, Mali now sit two points behind group leaders Madagascar and trail Ghana and Comoros by just one point, keeping their World Cup dreams alive.
As the qualification campaign reaches its halfway mark, several African football powerhouses are facing unexpected challenges in the race for one of the continent’s nine guaranteed spots at the expanded 48-team tournament.
Mali will aim to build on their momentum when they face the Central African Republic on Tuesday at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca for their Matchday 6 fixture.