Mali v Cape Verde: New era for Eagles begins with tough AFCON 2027 test

Mali begin their bid to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with a demanding Group K encounter against Cape Verde in Bamako on Friday.

The Eagles will welcome the Blue Sharks to the Stade du 26-Mars de Yirimadio, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT on 25 September 2026.

The fixture is one of the standout matches of the opening round of the qualifiers, with both sides regarded as strong contenders for the two available qualification places in Group K.

Unlike groups containing one of the three co-hosts of the 2027 tournament, Group K offers two automatic places at the finals, meaning the opening six-match campaign is a straightforward race for the top two positions.

Da Silva faces immediate test

The match will mark the start of Anthony Da Silva’s tenure as Mali coach, with the Portuguese-born coach taking charge of his first competitive fixture with the Eagles.

Da Silva has made changes to the squad for the opening qualifiers against Cape Verde and Liberia, selecting 26 players for the September double-header and an October friendly against Tunisia.

Among the new faces are goalkeeper Emile Doucoure of Genk, defender Adama Camara of Paris FC and forward Ange Martial Tia of Reims. Alimami Gory is also included in the squad.

Several established players have been left out, including captain Yves Bissouma, who is currently without a club, as well as Voyo Coulibaly, Abdoulaye Diaby, Mamadou Fofana, Mahamadou Doumbia and Gaoussou Diakité.

Da Silva therefore begins his tenure with a side that combines experienced internationals with players being given an opportunity to establish themselves in the national team.

Mali will also look to make home advantage count before travelling to face Liberia four days later in their second Group K fixture.

Cape Verde begin new chapter

Cape Verde arrive in Mali after a historic period for their national team.

The Blue Sharks qualified for the 2026 World Cup for the first time in their history, and now turn their attention to securing another major milestone by reaching AFCON 2027.

The campaign will also begin a new coaching era.

Humberto Bettencourt has taken charge after the departure of Pedro ‘Bubista’ Leitão, who left to coach Moroccan club RS Berkane. Bettencourt is nevertheless familiar with the team, having spent six years as Bubista’s assistant and been part of the coaching staff that guided Cape Verde to their first World Cup qualification.

That continuity could be important as Cape Verde attempt to maintain the momentum built during their World Cup qualifying campaign.

But the opening assignment is a difficult one. Playing away against Mali immediately tests Bettencourt’s ability to begin his tenure with a positive result.

History offers little between the sides

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, before Mali responded emphatically with a 3-0 victory in Bamako in October 2011.

Their limited head-to-head history means there is little recent competitive evidence to suggest how Friday’s contest will unfold.

What is clear is that both teams enter the match with strong motivation.

Mali will want to start Da Silva’s tenure with three points and use home advantage to establish an early position in the group. Cape Verde, meanwhile, will be keen to demonstrate that their World Cup breakthrough was the beginning of a sustained period of progress rather than an isolated achievement.

Key battle in Group K

With Rwanda hosting Liberia in the other Group K fixture on the same day, all four teams will begin their qualification campaigns simultaneously.

The top two teams will qualify for AFCON 2027, making every point particularly valuable in what is expected to be a competitive group.

For Mali, Friday’s game represents the beginning of a new coaching cycle and an opportunity to build momentum on home soil.

For Cape Verde, it is the first competitive test of a new era following their historic World Cup qualification.

The Blue Sharks will then host Rwanda on 29 September, while Mali travel to Liberia on the same day.

With both sides targeting a place at the 2027 finals in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, Friday’s meeting in Bamako could provide an early indication of how the battle for the two qualifying places will develop.

Match: Mali v Cape Verde

Date: Friday, 25 September 2026

Kick-off: 19:00 GMT

Venue: Stade du 26-Mars de Yirimadio, Bamako