Mali vs Senegal Prediction 09.01.2026 | AFCON

Definitely, Mali have emerged as one of the most pleasant surprises of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, impressing with their resilience and making it clear that they are willing to fight until the very end, regardless of the opponents in their path.

Interestingly, Les Aigles have advanced to the AFCON knockout stages in the last eight tournaments despite never registering a victory within the regular 90 minutes across any of their four appearances, progressing as Group A runners-up with three draws and then eliminating Tunisia in the round of 16 via penalties.

Historically, Senegal has posed a challenge for Mali, yet this squad has already shown remarkable discipline against Africa’s footballing powerhouses, holding hosts Morocco to a 1-1 draw and knocking Tunisia out in the knockout round, highlighting their ability to punch above their weight.

The only potential weakness for Tom Saintfiet’s side comes in the form of player fitness—RC Lens midfielder Amadou Haidara will serve the final match of his two-game suspension, while centre-back Sikou Niakate is a major doubt after missing all four of Mali’s AFCON fixtures to date.

Meanwhile, Senegal entered the knockout phase of AFCON 2025 as one of the tournament’s standout contenders, having cruised through the group stage with minimal fuss and extended an intimidating run of form that now spans 12 matches without defeat across competitive and friendly fixtures.

Under the steady guidance of head coach Pape Thiaw, who assumed control of the national team in December 2024 and has since overseen an impressive return of 10 wins and two draws from 13 outings, the Lions of Teranga have evolved into a finely tuned unit boasting quality and balance in every department.

Their route to the quarter-finals saw them deliver a commanding display against Sudan in the round of 16, where they recovered from an early setback to claim a routine 3-1 victory, a result that not only underlined their attacking depth but also showcased their composure, resilience, and proven big-game mentality.

Villarreal holding midfielder Pape Gueye emerged as the decisive figure in that contest, netting a first-half brace to swing the momentum firmly in Senegal’s favour, and his match-winning contribution all but guarantees him a place in the starting XI for Friday’s clash.