Comoros vs Mali Prediction 29.12.2025 | Africa Cup of Nations

Comoros head into their final group-stage fixture rooted to the bottom of Group A, having collected just a single point from their opening two matches. That solitary return came from a dull goalless draw against Zambia on matchday two, leaving them with no margin for error heading into the decisive round.

Stefano Cusin’s side opened the tournament with a respectable 2-0 defeat to hosts Morocco, a result that now leaves them needing nothing short of maximum points in their final outing if they are to harbor any hopes of reaching the knockout phase.

To defy the odds, Comoros will need to invoke the spirit of their fairy-tale 2021 AFCON campaign, when they stunned Ghana in a dramatic five-goal thriller in the final group game to secure a third-place finish and progression. A similar surge of belief will be required against another traditionally dominant opponent.

However, attacking shortcomings remain a major concern for the Coelacanths. They are yet to find the back of the net in the competition, with their lack of cutting edge in the final third placing significant pressure on the defensive unit to remain resolute against a potent Malian attack.

Comoros typically adopt a deep defensive setup, looking to strike on the counter through experienced figures such as El Fardou Ben Nabouhane, but execution has so far fallen short, leaving their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Meanwhile, Mali currently sit second in Group A with two points to their name, maintaining an unbeaten record after opening the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Zambia, followed shortly by another stalemate against hosts Morocco.

Head coach Tom Saintfiet can take pride in the resilience and tactical discipline his side has shown in their first two tests, particularly in halting Morocco’s 19-match winning streak on matchday two — a feat that highlights Mali’s growing confidence and composure.

The main challenge for Les Aigles heading into their final group-stage test lies in their inability to convert draws into wins, having shared spoils in each of their last three matches across all competitions. Clinical finishing from the frontline will be crucial if Mali hope to secure direct qualification to the knockout stage.

Mali will draw confidence from their previous encounters with Comoros earlier this year during the World Cup qualifiers, where they recorded comprehensive 3-0 victories in both meetings. Anything less than a win against the Comoros would represent a major disappointment for one of the tournament’s pre-competition “dark horses.”

Key defender Hamari Traore missed Mali’s opening two AFCON matches due to injury, but after being spotted on the bench during matchday two, there is a positive chance he could return to the starting XI for this decisive encounter. Meanwhile, an available Yves Bissouma is expected to start, providing further strength to the midfield.