This Friday's match between Mali and Mozambique at Stade 26 Mars in Bamako marks the start of Group I of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
Mozambique has a point to prove going into the game. Their recent third-place COSAFA Cup result highlights their ability to challenge the group favorites, despite their less than ideal history versus Mali.
As they start their 2025 AFCON qualification campaign, Mali, a team with a long history in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), is hoping to establish their supremacy in Group I. The Eagles are the team with the greatest experience, having qualified for 13 AFCONs in the past and proving time and time again that they can compete at the top level.
The hosts have been particularly successful in the recent qualifiers, having won at least four games in each of the previous four competitions and five times in the 2023 qualifications, when they also tied their second-highest goal total in the qualifiers.
However, Tom Saintfiet, who was named the team's new head coach on August 28, is leading them into a new era. After taking Mali to the AFCON quarterfinals in Ivory Coast earlier this year, Eric Chelle was fired on June 13. Saintfiet, an accomplished coach with experience coaching multiple African national teams, succeeded Chelle.
Chelle's career came to an untimely end despite this success, and Saintfiet now has the task of leading the Eagles through the qualifiers. His debut game in command will be this one versus Mozambique, signaling the start of what Mali believes will be a fruitful period of time under his direction.
Ahead of Saintfiet's debut, certain worries have been raised by Mali's inconsistent recent performance in competition. The team recently returned from an away 0-0 tie in Johannesburg against Madagascar, where they dominated much of the play but found it difficult to score. This put more pressure on the team to do better at home after a depressing 2-1 home loss to Ghana in Bamako.
Arriving at Stade 26 Mars in Bamako with a point to prove, Mozambique, representing Pot 2 in Group I of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, are under pressure. Mali, who beat them 2-1 in their lone prior meeting at the 2014 AFCON, has a worse record against them, but the visitors are confident that they can challenge the group favorites.
Mozambique has the ability to cause waves in the group, as evidenced by its recent form. The Mambas have been playing well; their last regular-season setback was against Cape Verde in January 2024, where they were defeated 3-0. Their lone other loss since then was in the COSAFA Cup, where they lost to Namibia by a tight margin in a penalty shootout.
The Mambas's unblemished record during the COSAFA Cup, World Cup qualifying, and AFCON campaign demonstrates their tenacity and reliable play. They want to build on this impressive record and have a big impact on the AFCON qualifying campaign.
One of Mozambique's finest results in the competition since placing second in 2015 is their third-place finish in the COSAFA Cup. This accomplishment shows they are poised to have a big impact and are well-prepared for the AFCON qualifiers.
