Morocco v Mali: Atlas Lions face Eagles in Tangier friendly

Morocco and Mali meet in a high-profile friendly at the Grand Stade de Tanger on Sunday, with both sides carrying perfect records from the opening two rounds of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

The teams last met in Group A of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in December. Brahim Diaz put Morocco ahead before Lassine Sinayoko equalised from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, earning Mali a 1-1 draw at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Morocco began their 2027 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Gabon in Rabat on 25 September. Noussair Mazraoui and Soufiane Rahimi scored in that match, before the Atlas Lions recorded another 2-0 win against Lesotho in Bloemfontein, South Africa, four days later.

Mohamed Ouahbi’s side dominated the game at Toyota Stadium, finishing with more than 70% possession. Brahim Diaz and 26-year-old midfielder Azzedine Ounahi completed the scoring.

That form follows Morocco’s impressive World Cup run earlier in the year. The two-time African champions defeated the Netherlands and Canada before losing 2-0 to France in the quarter-finals on 9 July.

The defeat by France is Morocco’s only loss in their past 37 matches in all competitions. Since a 1-0 defeat by Kenya at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August 2025, they have recorded 31 victories and five draws.

Mali have also made a strong start to qualifying, winning their opening two matches to move level on points with Rwanda at the top of Group K.

Dorgeles Nene scored twice and Ange Tia struck in the fifth minute as the Eagles beat Cape Verde 3-1 on 25 September. Tia scored again four days later to secure a narrow 1-0 win against Liberia.

Those victories ended a three-match run without a win for Anthony da Silva’s team, which included two defeats and a 1-0 loss to Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in January. Mali are seeking an 11th appearance in the tournament’s finals.

Morocco are sixth in the latest FIFA rankings and the highest-ranked African nation. Mali have won six and drawn six of their 21 meetings with Morocco, although they are without a victory in four games. Their last success was a 1-0 friendly win in May 2006.

Ouahbi is expected to rotate after Morocco’s two qualifying victories. Anass Salah-Eddine, Soufiane El-Faouzi and Anderlecht forward Tawfik Bentayeb are among those seeking starts. Achraf Hakimi and Mazraoui, who played all of the qualifying matches, could begin on the bench.

Teenager Ange Tia, of Stade de Reims II, is expected to retain his place after scoring twice in qualifying. Paris FC forward Sinayoko, who has 10 Mali goals since his debut in September 2021, should lead the attack.

Probable line-ups

Morocco: Bono; Salah-Eddine, Boudlal, Diop, E. Ounahi; El Aynaoui, Targhalline, A. Ounahi; Khannouss, Rahimi, Bentayeb.

Mali: Diarra; Guindo, Gassama, O. Camara, Traore; Dieng, Sangare, Doumbia; Nene, Tia, Sinayoko.

The prediction is for a Morocco victory, with a 2-1 scoreline priced at 8.00 by Betclic.