CAN 2025 composition, statistics, overview, broadcast

Comoros v Mali preview

Comoros vs Mali team news

Mali aim to remain in the two automatic qualification positions for the round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when Tom Saintfiet’s side play their decisive Group A match against Comoros in Casablanca on Monday.

Lassine Sinayoko’s penalty earned the Eagles a notable draw against Morocco in their second match of the final on Tuesday, ending the host nation and tournament favorite’s record 19-game winning streak in international football.

“It won’t be easy,” Saintfiet said, expressing pride in his team and suggesting Mali should have won a late penalty against Morocco and had enough chances to beat Zambia in their opening tie 1-1.

“Comoros are a good team but I have confidence in my players. We played them twice this year in the World Cup qualifiers and won both 3-0, but every game is different. We know we have to win and do everything for a victory.”

Comoros performed respectably in their 2-0 defeat to Morocco in the opening match of the tournament and shared the only 0-0 of the final so far with Zambia in their second match, with a goal from striker Myziane Maolida ruled out for fouling.

“Mali are an extremely physical team,” said coach Stefano Cusin. “We have to be physically strong… if we are up to it physically, which we lacked during the playoffs, we have the means to put them in difficulty and key players who can put them in danger.

“I know the Malian mentality, I know the players individually. They have a strong state of mind and they have technical quality and physical intensity.”

Comoros must win to qualify, while a draw would likely put Mali in a strong position to qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams in the six groups.

Comoros v Mali: CAN team news

Comoros made four changes to the tie against Zambia, replacing defender Yannis Kari, midfielders Bendjaloud Youssouf and Iyad Mohamed and winger Faiz Selamani with Said Bakari, Yacine Bourhane, Akim Abdallah and Maolida.

Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor saved a penalty in an impressive display on his CAN final debut against Morocco.

Midfielder Aliou Dieng, who captained Mali against Zambia, was one of eight players in the squad to be booked against Morocco, leading Saintfiet to suggest that avoiding possible suspensions would shape his selection against Comoros.

Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma missed the first match due to injury, but started against Morocco, playing 57 minutes.

Auxerre’s Sinayoko also scored against Chipolopolo, who denied Mali victory with a 92nd-minute equalizer.

Comoros versus Mali: planned composition of CAN 2025

Comoros starting lineup: Yannick Pandorl, Kenan Toibibou, Ahmed Soilihi, Ismael Boura, Said Bakari, Yacine Bourhane, Zaydou Youssouf, Akim Abdallah, Myziane Maolida, Youssouf M’Changama, Rafiki Said

Mali starting lineup: Dje Diarra, Bonba Coulibaly, Abdoulaye Dimara, Lafn A Gassama, Mamadou Sangaré, Massacalidou Dilibaly, Mahamandou Doumga, Mahamadou Dous

How to watch Comoros vs Mali: TV channel, live stream online

Kick-off on Monday will be at 7:00 p.m. GMT (2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT). 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.

Comoros v Mali: CAN 2025 statistics

• Comoros’ clean sheet against Zambia was their first AFCON shutout in their fifth finals match
• Their three-game winless streak in AFCON is their longest winless streak in the tournament
• A 3-2 win over Ghana sent them to the round of 16 in only their third group stage match of 2021.
• For a second consecutive edition, the Comoros failed to score in their first two matches. In 2021, they lost 1-0 and 2-0 against Gabon and Morocco
• The match against Zambia marked the first time in six AFCON matches that the Comoros did not face a shot on target.
• Mali’s total of 14 draws in its 27 CAN matches since the 2013 edition (8 wins, 5 losses) is the second highest total behind DR Congo.
• They are now undefeated in 12 AFCON group matches (5 wins, 7 draws), the latest defeat coming in their second match of the 2017 tournament against Ghana.
• A 0-0 draw against Namibia in their final group match of 2023 is the only time Mali have failed to score in any of their last seven AFCON matches.
• They have not lost their last group match in their last eight CAN appearances (4 wins, 4 draws) and have only lost such a match twice: 1-0 against DR Congo in 1994 and 3-0 against Ivory Coast in 2008.
• After drawing all three of their group matches in 2015, Mali were eliminated by draw, finishing level on three points with Guinea on all tiebreaker criteria.