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Mali v Senegal: Line-ups, stats and preview

Mali take on Senegal tomorrow at AFCON 2025

Written by Jon Fisher
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Mali v Senegal: Line-ups, stats and preview

Match Preview for Mali v Senegal

Mali coach Tom Saintfiet has no intention of changing his conservative approach when they take on Senegal in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations tomorrow.

Saintfiet’s side have yet to win a game in Morocco but have still made it through to the last eight.

Three group stage draws were followed by a penalty shoot-out victory over Tunisia on Saturday. Even then they had to do it the hard way, playing for 64 minutes of normal time, and then the additional 30 minutes, with just 10 men following the dismissal of defender Woyo Coulibaly.

A clash with Senegal  is another hugely difficult assignment and Les Aigles won’t be moving way from the playbook that has helped them reach this stage.

Saintfiet said today: “We haven’t created a lot of goal-scoring opportunities, but we’ve played with discipline and we won’t be changing much around our approach. We’ve got players with good ability and a very good mentality.”

Senegal have scored 10 goals in their four games and Saintfiet says his side are facing the strongest team in the tournament, adding: “The eight teams who have qualified for the quarters are all the big footballing countries in Africa but I think they are playing the best.

“The only team they’ve lost to over the last years was Brazil, they even beat England. It’s a stable team but also very strong who score easily, who don’t give up much and are very dangerous.

“But we are also a good team. We haven’t lost at this tournament, and we played well against Morocco and Tunisia, two countries who qualified for the World Cup.”

Sadio Mane for Senegal

Senegal have talent in abundance with a front three consisting of Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr and Nicolas Jackson but coach Pape Thiaw was able to throw on another potential star in the last 16 win over Sudan, 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye.

The Paris Saint-Germain youngster entered the fray with 16 minutes to go and grabbed his side’s final goal in a 3-1 victory. It was the latest in a series of eye-catching performances that have earned him praise from Thiaw, who said: “It’s a chance to have a young player like Ibrahim who is showing great promise, who is winning titles at 17.

“He’s a gem, and we need to nurture him. We know what he can bring to this team, and we will do everything we can to ensure he thrives and is at his best.”

Team News for Mali v Senegal

Woyo Coulibaly is suspended for Mali while Lassana Coulibaly is carrying a knock and isn’t likely to play any part.

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly is back from a ban and will return to the starting XI. Thiaw has to choose between Sarr, Mbaye and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye in attack.

Predicted line-ups for Mali v Senegal

Mali: Diarra; Dante, Camara, Diaby, Traore; Dieng, Bissouma; Sissoko, Doumbia, Sangare; Sinayoko

Senegal: Mendy; Jakobs, Niakhate, Koulibaly, Diatta; P. Gueye, I. Gueye, Diarra; Mane, Jackson, Sarr

How to watch Mali v Senegal: TV and online streams

Kick-off on Friday is at 4pm UK time. In the UK, live AFCON 2025 coverage is on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.

Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.

Stats for Mali v Senegal

  • Mali and Senegal have met 40 times previously. Senegal lead the head-to-head with 19 wins to Mali’s eight, while 13 matches have ended in draws
  • Senegal are unbeaten in their last 13 matches against Mali, recording six wins and seven draws
  • Mali’s last victory over Senegal came in a friendly match in 1997, a 2-1 win in Dakar

Mali

0 – 3

Senegal

We think this is the end of the road for Mali.

Senegal have too much pace and power, particularly in attacking areas. They will march on.

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