Mali – Senegal: a West African derby to open the first quarter-final! 
The first quarter-final of AFCON 2025 serves up a familiar but fiery clash. Mali and Senegal meet in Tangier for a scrap where commitment, discipline and patience should decide things. A place in the last four is up for grabs. Nobody will hand it over.
Mali: survive again to move on 
Mali scraped through. Reduced to ten early against Tunisia, they dug deep to nick a stoppage-time equaliser and then won on penalties. Brutal. Shows a group that doesn’t fold.
Since the tournament began, Tom Saintfiet’s men still haven’t won in regular time. That doesn’t erase their solidity, but it highlights a recurring problem: they struggle to make the difference. In the quarters, that ability to hang in will be tested again.
Historically, Mali often choke at this stage. A win on Friday would shove the Eagles back into the last four for the first time since 2013 — a result that would give this one extra bite.
Senegal: the calm of a confident side 
Senegal look steadier. Trailing Sudan in the last 16, the Lions of Teranga reacted fast, took control and won without breaking a sweat. That win underlined their status as proper contenders.
Momentum’s with them. Senegal have a long unbeaten run in regular time at the AFCON and have got the edge in recent head-to-heads with Mali. That collective confidence shows in how they ride out the game’s quiet spells.
African champions in 2021, they know how to go deep in this tournament. The objective is simple: hunt down another continental crown.
Probable line-ups
Mali :
Diakité ; Traoré, Haidara, Kouyaté, Sacko ; Bissouma, Samassékou ; Doumbia, Camara, Sinayoko ; Koné
Senegal :
Mendy ; Sabaly, Koulibaly, Niakhaté, Jakobs ; Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr ; Ismaïla Sarr, Ndiaye, Mané ; Dia
Key points
- Mali still haven’t won in regular time since the tournament started.
- Senegal remain unbeaten in their last 15 AFCON matches in regular time.
- Matches between these two are often tight.
- A tight, cagey affair is expected.
Football Prediction Mali vs Senegal
Under 2.5 goals
In a tense quarter-final the tempo should be stop‑start and chances scarce. Mali know how to defend deep and hang on. Senegal manage these tight ties perfectly. A low‑scoring, close game — probably settled by a single moment — looks the likeliest outcome.
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