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Mali-Senegal match preview
Mali Coach Tom Saintfiet has no plans to change his conservative approach when they face Senegal in the quarter-finals of African Cup of Nations tomorrow.
Saintfiet’s team has not yet won a match in Morocco but is still qualified for the round of 16.
Three draws in the group stage were followed by a penalty shootout victory against Tunisia on Saturday. And yet, they had to do it the hard way, playing 64 minutes of normal time, then an additional 30 minutes, with only 10 men, following the expulsion of defender Woyo Coulibaly.
A clash against Senegal is another extremely difficult mission and the Eagles will not stray from the playbook that helped them reach this stage.
Saintfiet said today: “We didn’t create many scoring chances, but we played with discipline and we won’t change our approach much. We have players with good skills and a very good mentality.”
Senegal have scored 10 goals in their four matches and Saintfiet says his side are facing the strongest team in the tournament, adding: “The eight teams qualified for the quarters are all the big footballing nations in Africa but I think they are playing the best.
“The only team they have lost against in recent years is Brazil, they even beat England. They are a stable but also very strong team who score easily, who don’t give up much and who are very dangerous.
“But we are also a good team. We did not lose in this tournament and we played well against Morocco and Tunisia, two countries qualified for the World Cup.”
Senegal is full of talent with a front three of Sadio Mané, Ismaila Sarr and Nicolas Jackson, but coach Pape Thiaw managed to bring in another potential star in the round of 16 against Sudan, 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye.
The Paris Saint-Germain youngster came on with 16 minutes to go and scored his side’s final goal in a 3-1 win. It is the latest in a string of remarkable performances that have earned him praise from Thiaw, who said: “It’s lucky to have a young player like Ibrahim who is showing a lot of promise, winning titles at 17.
“He’s a gem and we have to nurture him. We know what he can bring to this team and we will do everything we can to ensure he flourishes and performs at his best.”
Team news for Mali vs Senegal
Woyo Coulibaly is suspended for Mali while Lassana Coulibaly carries a knock and is not expected to play any role.
Senegalese captain Kalidou Koulibaly is back from suspension and will return to the starting XI. Thiaw must choose between Sarr, Mbaye and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye in attack.
Lineup planned for the Mali-Senegal match
Mali: Diarra; Dante, Camara, Diaby, Traoré; Dieng, Bissoma; Sissoko, Doumbia, Sangaré; If-woman
Senegal: Mendy; Jakobs, Niakhate, Koulibaly, Diatta; P. Gueye, I. Gueye, Diarra; Mané, Jackson, Sarr
How to watch Mali vs Senegal: TV and online streams
Kick-off on Friday will be at 4pm UK time. In the UK, live CAN 2025 coverage is on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and YouTube channels. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.
Online live streaming is available on a wide range of devices via Channel 4 website and the beIN Sports app and app.
Statistics for the Mali vs Senegal match
- Mali and Senegal have met 40 times before. Senegal leads the confrontations with 19 victories to Mali’s eight, while 13 matches ended in draws.
- Senegal are unbeaten in their last 13 matches against Mali, recording six wins and seven draws.
- Mali’s last victory against Senegal came in a friendly in 1997, a 2-1 victory in Dakar.
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