Morocco - Mali: Preview and Prediction

December 26, 2025. 22:00. Rabat. Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Group Stage. Group A. Round 2

Morocco - Mali

Where to watch: MEGOGO

Injured: Saiss, Hakimi (?) - Bissuma (?)

Morocco - Mali: Betting Odds

The Africa Cup of Nations is in full swing and Group A is gearing up for the second round of matches. Hosts Morocco will face Mali at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The Atlas Lions, who have just won an early game, could secure a place in the round of 16 here. Meanwhile, the Eagles drew their first match, and a point would have put them one step closer to the knockout stages.

Morocco

Morocco are hosting the AFCON for only the second time in their history. Back in 1988, they reached the semi-finals and finished fourth. Now, under the guidance of Walid Regraghi, the aim is to go all the way and win the country's second title - their first came way back in 1976. Their best finish since then was a second-place finish in 2004, when they lost to Tunisia. But the Atlas Lions are now considered the main contenders, not just because they are playing at home, but also because of their form. They were the breakout stars at the last World Cup, becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals. Add to that this year’s AFCON U-23 triumph and the future looks bright, especially with the 2030 World Cup partly being hosted on home soil.

Morocco are now a continental powerhouse. They easily qualified for the World Cup with eight wins from eight matches, scoring 22 goals and conceding just two. Even in the AFCON qualifiers they played, despite being hosts, they won every match. However, their first match of the tournament against Comoros was not without its problems. They were let down by the final game in the first half; they failed to convert any of their seven chances. The biggest blunder came when Rahimi missed an 11th-minute penalty. But after the break, their dominance paid off. Brahim Dias broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, and substitute El Kaabi, Yaremchuk's Olympiacos teammate, made it 2-0 with a stunning overhead kick.

That extended Morocco's unbeaten run to 18 games with 15 wins. They kept another clean sheet against Comoros and conceded just four goals in total in 2025. Another win here would guarantee Regrahi's team a place in the last 16, and that looks likely - they have started with two wins in two of the last three AFCONs. Notably, Morocco have not lost to Mali in official matches, and they have not even conceded a goal against them this century.

Mali

Mali have never won the AFCON, with their best debut result being a silver medal in 1972. They only returned in 1994, when they reached the semi-finals again and finished fourth. In the 21st century, they have played regularly, missing only the 2006 tournament. But their highs are in the past: fourth place in 2002 and 2004, bronze medals in 2012 and 2013. Since then, the closest they have come was a quarter-final exit in 2023.

This time, Mali is led by Belgian coach Tom Senfier, the first foreigner at the helm since 2017. They were unbeaten in AFCON qualifying, drawing two of their six games and conceding just one goal, allowing them to progress comfortably. However, their dreams of a World Cup debut were dashed, as they trailed Ghana by seven points in the group, losing both matches without a goal, and even finished behind Madagascar. So fans’ expectations for AFCON 2025 are not sky-high. The Eagles started with a disappointing draw against Zambia. Toure missed a first-half penalty and Sinayoko’s 61st-minute goal looked like the winner until they conceded a goal in injury time to make it 1-1.

There is some positive: Mali are unbeaten in four games in a row, and in their last six AFCON games they have lost just once, winning twice and drawing three. However, it will be difficult to rectify their poor performance against Morocco, who they have never beaten in an official match, their last friendly victory coming in 2006. Mali have not even scored in their last three meetings with the Atlas Lions.

Morocco v Mali: Predicted Line-ups

Saïss was substituted in the first half against Comoros due to injury and will not feature here. Hakimi, who arrived with an injury, is close to returning but is unlikely to start. Mali, on the other hand, will be hoping to welcome Bissouma back from Tottenham.

Morocco's possible starting line-up:

Bono; Mazraoui, Agerd, El-Yamik, Salah-Eddine; Unahi, Amrabat, Saibari; Dias, El-Kaabi, El-Ainaoui

Mali's possible starting line-up:

Diarra; Coulibaly, Diaby, Fofana, Dante; Sangare, Dieng; Sinayoko, Doumbia, Nene; E. B. Toure

Morocco v Mali: Author's Prediction

Mali could give Morocco a real fight, so I don't see anything wrong with the favorites. However, the class should show, which will lead to a narrow victory for the Atlas Lions - and with it - a place in the playoffs.