Mali vs Mozambique Preview & Prediction | 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying | Group I
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Both of these sides pulled off impressive results at this year’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations and now they begin the cycle again with their 2025 qualifying campaign beginning as Mozambique take on Mali.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday 6th September, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – beIN Sports streaming platforms
MALI PREVIEW: IMPRESSIVE MALI
Former Trinidad and Tobago, Malta, Gambia and Philippines manager Tom Saintfiet is in charge of the Malian national side, ranked 53rd in the world, and looking to kick on from an impressive 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations campaign earlier this year.
They progressed through the group stages as group winners before then defeating Burkina Faso by two goals to one in the Round of 16 but they then suffered a dramatic extra-time defeat to hosts and eventual winners Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals.
MOZAMBIQUE PREVIEW: IMPROVING MOZAMBIQUE
Mozambique didn’t progress through the group stages and even finished rock-bottom of Group B at that tournament but they left it with their heads held high and a feeling that they are continuing to progress.
Mozambique shared a heart-breaking 2-2 draw with Egypt in which the Egyptians scored a 97th minute equaliser from the spot via Mohamed Salah before then losing 3-0 to Cape Verde and then sharing another 2-2 draw with an African giant in Ghana in which they scored two second-half stoppage-time goals to level things.
MALI TEAM NEWS: COUPLE OF DOUBTS
There are a couple of injury doubts and concerns for this game against Mozambique as defenders Sikou Niakate and Daouda Guindo with forward Moussa Sylla all with issues.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): D. Diarra; Diakite, Camara, Sagnan, Dante; Coulibaly, Dieng, Fofana, Sinayoko; Toure, Doumbia
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Niakate (Injured), Guindo (Injured), Sylla (Injured)
MOZAMBIQUE TEAM NEWS: NO NEED TO CHANGE
With Mozambique having a fully fit and available squad for this week, there are no reasons to change what has worked over the last year or so ahead of facing Mali.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Hernani Siluane; Nanani, Malembana, Reinildo, Langa; Nene; Catamo, Guima, Amade, Witi; Clesio
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
MALI VS MOZAMBIQUE PREDICTION
Mali have an impressive amount of depth across the park but they have struggled for a cutting edge and attacking qualities. Mali will be heavily favoured to defeat Mozambique but Mozambique have shown a capability to play on the front foot and produce entertaining encounters, as they did against both Egypt and Ghana at AFCON. Mali aren’t usually involved in thrillers but this one may well be an exception.
MALI VS MOZAMBIQUE TIP: MALI TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
