Mali faces Mozambique in crucial AFCON 2025 qualifier

Mali and Mozambique are set to clash this Friday evening in a highly anticipated match as the AFCON 2025 qualifiers get underway. The game will be held at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, with kick-off scheduled for 7 p.m. local time, which corresponds to 9 p.m. in both France and Mozambique. Football fans can catch the action live on beIN Sports Max 5.

This match marks the debut of Tom Saintfiet as head coach of the Eagles of Mali, and the stakes are high as his team looks to secure three points against an opponent that, on paper, appears to be less formidable.

However, Mali will be facing significant challenges due to the absence of several key players. Notably, captain Hamari Traoré is sidelined with a serious knee injury sustained while playing for Real Sociedad last weekend.

The team will also be without Massadio Haidara, Amadou Haidara, Moussa Sylla, Lassine Sinayoko, Kevin Zohi, and the young prospect Malick Yalcouyé, who has yet to decide whether to represent Côte d’Ivoire or Mali at the international level.

Mali’s recent form has been inconsistent, which adds to the pressure on Saintfiet’s debut. Last June, the Eagles suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against Ghana, followed by a frustrating 0-0 draw with Madagascar in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

These results led to the dismissal of former coach Eric Chelle, and the team is now looking for a fresh start under Saintfiet’s guidance.

On the other side, Mozambique enters the match with confidence, having shown strong form in their recent outings. Chiquinho Conde’s side secured a 2-1 victory over Somalia before pulling off an impressive 1-0 win against Guinea.

With momentum on their side, Mozambique will be aiming to exploit Mali’s weakened lineup and continue their positive run in the qualifiers.

The match promises to be a closely contested battle, with both teams eager to kick off their AFCON 2025 campaigns on a high note.

While Mali is favored to win, the numerous absences and recent struggles may level the playing field, giving Mozambique a genuine opportunity to spring a surprise.

As the qualifiers progress, every point will be crucial in the race for a spot in the tournament, and this match could set the tone for both teams’ journeys to Morocco in 2025.

Football enthusiasts won’t want to miss what is sure to be an exciting and pivotal encounter.

🗣️”On a pas peur , j’ai beaucoup de confiance à mes gars donc on est prêt ”
Tom Saintfiet

📸 InfiniSports pic.twitter.com/RGptgB5lRZ

— Nation Black Mali 🇲🇱 (@NationMali) September 5, 2024