Mali v Cape Verde: Anthony Da Silva faces opening test in 2027 Afcon qualifying

Mali begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Cape Verde at the Stade du 26-Mars de Yirimadio on Friday, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

The match will mark Anthony Da Silva’s first game in charge of the Mali national team, as the Eagles take on the Blue Sharks in Bamako.

Former SC Fribourg and Mali player Gaoussou Diallo, known as “Malatini”, believes there is little to separate the two sides. Diallo, who is now an assistant coach at Binga FC, described the contest as a 50-50 match and expects it to live up to its billing.

Da Silva has made several changes for his first competitive fixture, with four players receiving their first call-ups to the Mali squad.

The new additions are Ange Martial Tia of Stade Reims, Adama Camara of Paris FC, Emile Doucoure of KRC Genk and Alimami Gory of Abha.

The meeting with Cape Verde represents an early challenge for Da Silva as he begins his tenure. Mali will also be seeking to make home advantage count in the opening round of qualifying.

The two countries have met only twice previously, with both encounters coming during qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Cape Verde won the first meeting 1-0 in Praia in September 2010. Mali responded in the return fixture in Bamako, securing a 3-0 victory in October 2011.

Mali will hope for a similar result on home soil as they start their campaign to reach the 2027 tournament. Diallo is expecting a closely contested match between two teams with a recent competitive history limited to those two qualifiers.

The game is the first fixture of the new qualifying campaign for both nations and provides Da Silva with an immediate test in front of the Mali supporters at the Stade du 26-Mars de Yirimadio.

Mali will be aiming to build an early advantage, while Cape Verde will look to repeat the success they achieved in Praia in the sides’ first meeting.