Mali v Tunisia Match Preview
Tunisia will look to supply a marked enchancment in efficiency to maintain their Africa Cup of Nations hopes alive once they face Mali within the final 16.
The Carthage Eagles progressed to the knockout rounds regardless of successful simply one in every of their three Group C fixtures, dropping to Nigeria and drawing with Tanzania after opening with a 3-1 win over Uganda.
Having solely progressed past the quarter-finals as soon as since successful the match on dwelling soil in 2004, coach Sami Trabelsi is aware of his facet might want to increase their recreation if they’re to have an opportunity of lifting the trophy.
Talking after the draw with Tanzania, Trabelsi stated: “Crucial factor was to safe qualification. We have now not executed effectively on this competitors in recent times and that’s the reason qualification is so necessary.
“We might not have performed one of the simplest ways attainable, however we’re very joyful to have certified. We can be taking part in in opposition to stronger opposition in our upcoming video games and can really want to play higher as a result of the extent of competitors can be even increased and requires us to enhance.”
Mali certified as runners-up in Group A after drawing every of their three video games, together with their conflict with hosts Morocco, a outcome that underlined how tough they’re to beat.
The Eagles are unbeaten of their final six video games and haven’t conceded multiple aim in a recreation since a 2-1 defeat to Ghana in World Cup qualifying in June 2024, a recreation during which they conceded a 94th-minute winner.
Mali have now reached the knockouts of the AFCON in every of the final 4 tournaments, although they haven’t gone past the quarter-finals since ending third in 2013.
Regardless of that achievement, Mali coach Tom Saintfiet needs extra from his gamers, calling on them to be extra scientific in entrance of aim.
Talking after they had been held to a 0-0 draw by Comoros of their closing Group A recreation, Saintfiet stated: “It feels bizarre truthfully, as a result of as coach, you wish to win video games, you wish to do it additionally for the general public, and it’s not that we didn’t play effectively, we scored two objectives in three video games, one penalty and one in regular play.”
“Everybody talks of how now we have mixture of soccer, now we have to be extra environment friendly in entrance of aim, and that’s one thing now we have to work on earlier than the approaching recreation.”
Group information for Mali v Tunisia
Mali can be with out midfielder Amadou Haidara resulting from suspension after he was despatched off late on in opposition to Comoros.
Tunisia midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane might miss out due to a knee damage.
Predicted line-ups for Mali v Tunisia
Mali: Diarra; W. Coulibaly, Diaby, O. Camara, Gassama; Dieng, Doumbia, L. Coulibaly, Sangare, Bissouma; Sinayoko.
Tunisia: Dahmen; Abdi, Talbi, Bronn, Valery; Skhiri, Gharbi, Mejbri; Achouri, Tounekti, Mastouri.
Stats for Mali v Tunisia
- Tunisia didn’t concede a aim in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, however have let in 5 up to now within the AFCON.
- The Carthage Eagles are winless in 4 AFCON conferences with Mali, dropping two and drawing two.
- Tunisia, nonetheless, lead the general head-to-head with Mali, successful 4 of their seven encounters.
- 5 totally different gamers have scored for Tunisia up to now within the 2025 AFCON, with Elias Achouri scoring twice.
- In contrast, Lassine Sinayoko has scored each of Mali’s objectives within the match.
