International friendly: Morocco vs Mali – Where and how to watch

Morocco will face Mali in an international friendly at the Grand Stade de Tanger on Sunday as both sides look to end the international window on a positive note.

The Atlas Lions head into the meeting after winning both of their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, beating Gabon 2-0 in Rabat before claiming another 2-0 victory against Lesotho in Bloemfontein.

Mali have also made a perfect start to their AFCON qualifying campaign, defeating Cape Verde 3-1 before securing a 1-0 away win against Liberia.

The meeting in Tangier therefore offers both teams a useful test despite being a friendly, with Morocco and Mali arriving in strong form.

Mali replace Ghana as Morocco’s opponents

The fixture was initially planned as a meeting between Morocco and Ghana, but the Ghana Football Association withdrew from the proposed game for “internal reasons”.

Mali subsequently stepped in after their planned friendly against Tunisia was cancelled, giving coach Mohamed Ouahbi and his players a stronger test to close the international window.

Morocco and Mali last met during the 2025 AFCON group stage in Rabat, where the two sides played out a 1-1 draw on 26 December.

Sunday’s encounter will also give Morocco an opportunity to test themselves against an African side with considerable experience and physical strength.

Morocco dealing with several absences

Morocco will be without Noussair Mazraoui after the Manchester United defender left the national-team camp and returned to his club following an injury sustained against Lesotho.

Nayef Aguerd, meanwhile, has been following a controlled return-to-competition programme after missing the trip to South Africa. His involvement will depend on the assessment of Morocco’s technical and medical staff.

The Atlas Lions also began the international window without several injured players, including Chadi Riad, Youssef En-Nesyri, Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane and Youssef Belammari.

Achraf Hakimi could return to the starting XI after beginning the Lesotho game on the bench, while Brahim Diaz and Azzedine Ounahi arrive after scoring in the 2-0 victory in Bloemfontein.

Ouahbi also has several options in midfield, including Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui, Bilal El Khannouss and Ismael Saibari, while Abde Ezzalzouli and Rahimi provide further attacking alternatives.

The Morocco coach has made significant changes between his opening two competitive matches and could use the friendly to give more playing time to younger members of his squad.

Morocco likely XI

Bounou; Hakimi, Diop, Aït Boudlal, El Ouahdi; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi, Ounahi; Brahim Diaz, Saibari, Ezzalzouli.

Mali provide a tougher test

Mali will also arrive in Tangier with some absences.

Forward Almamy Gory has left the squad after suffering an injury during the AFCON qualifiers and has returned to his club for treatment.

Captain Yves Bissouma was not selected for this international window, while Mohamed Camara, Mahamadou Doumbia and Gaoussou Diakité withdrew because of injuries before the start of the camp.

The Eagles have nevertheless started Da Silva’s competitive tenure with two victories and have several players accustomed to playing at a high level in European leagues.

Their pace in wide areas and the early form of Dorgeles and Martial Tia could pose a significant challenge to Morocco’s defence.

Mali likely XI

Djigui Diarra; Hamari Traore, Ousmane Camara, Nathan Gassama, Daouda Guindo; Mamadou Sangare, Aliou Dieng; Dorgeles, Kamory Doumbia, Martial Tia; Sinayoko.

Tangier test offers Ouahbi chance to experiment

The match should provide a different challenge for Morocco from their recent encounter with Lesotho, particularly in midfield and during transitions.

Ouahbi has rotated his squad extensively during his first two competitive matches and is expected to continue searching for the right balance between established players and emerging talent.

The Morocco coach has repeatedly stressed the importance of rewarding players who deserve opportunities, making the friendly another chance for members of the squad to impress.

Playing in front of a home crowd in Tangier should also create a different atmosphere from the 2-0 victory over Lesotho in South Africa.

With both sides having won their opening two AFCON qualifiers, the friendly carries greater significance than a routine international warm-up and could provide an early indication of how Morocco and Mali compare ahead of their future African assignments.

Match details

Fixture: Morocco vs Mali
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Grand Stade de Tanger, Tangier
Date: Sunday, 4 October
Kick-off: 18:00 GMT
Morocco broadcasters: Arryadia and Al Aoula
Additional coverage: beIN Sports 6 and SNRT digital platforms

Prediction: Morocco 2-1 Mali