2025 AFCON Group A Match Preview: Comoros vs Mali

Comoros face Mali on Monday in a crucial Group A encounter at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with both teams still vying for a spot in the knockout stage.

A victory for the Coelacanths would keep their qualification hopes alive, depending on the outcome of the Morocco vs. Zambia match, while a win for Mali would guarantee their progression to the next round.

Comoros head into the fixture still searching for their first goal of the tournament and knowing that their margin for error is extremely slim.

The Coelacanths began their campaign with a 2–0 defeat to hosts Morocco on December 21, conceding twice in the second half after a disciplined opening period, before following that result with a goalless draw against Zambia on December 26.

The 2025 edition marks only Comoros’ second appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, following their historic debut in 2021, when they reached the round of 16 and recorded a memorable group-stage victory over Ghana.

Qualification for this tournament was achieved by topping their qualifying group, a notable accomplishment that reinforced their growing presence on the continental stage despite limited experience at this level.

Under head coach Stefano Cusin, Comoros have prioritised structure and compactness, particularly against higher-ranked opposition. That approach was evident in their draw with Zambia, where they limited clear chances, but the lack of goals has become a defining concern, and they have failed to score in their last four confirmed competitive matches, conceding eight across that period.

In addition to their AFCON results against Morocco and Zambia, Comoros were beaten twice by Mali in the 2025 CAF World Cup qualifiers, losing 3–0 in March and again by the same scoreline in September, and those defeats form the entirety of the confirmed competitive head-to-head record between the two nations.

Across their last six matches, Comoros have recorded one win, one draw and four defeats, scoring seven goals and conceding 14, and having also failed to score in their opening two matches at this year’s tournament, they face a pressing need to improve their attacking efficiency if they are to alter the narrative in their final group fixture.

Mali approach this Group A encounter unbeaten and firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stages after drawing both of their opening matches, having begun the tournament with a 1–1 draw against Zambia on December 22 in which Lassine Sinayoko scored from the penalty spot before Mali conceded an equaliser.

Four days later, they followed that performance with another 1–1 draw against hosts Morocco in Rabat, with Sinayoko once again converting from the spot to secure a valuable point against one of the tournament favourites.

The Eagles are among Africa’s most consistent AFCON participants and entered the 2025 tournament with strong continental pedigree, with their ability to manage high-pressure matches evident in their disciplined display against Morocco, which halted the hosts’ long winning run and reinforced Mali’s reputation for tactical resilience.

Tom Saintfiet's team recent competitive form also includes two emphatic 3–0 victories over Comoros in the 2025 World Cup qualifying campaign, keeping clean sheets in both matches and scoring six goals across the two fixtures, results that provide clear historical context ahead of this AFCON meeting and represent the only confirmed competitive clashes between the sides.

Defensively, Mali have been solid throughout the calendar year, conceding just four goals across their six most recent matches, two of which came in AFCON group play.

Offensively, although goals have been limited at the tournament itself, their earlier qualifiers demonstrated a greater cutting edge, particularly against Comoros.

In their last six matches, the West African nation have recorded two wins, three draws and one defeat, scoring eight goals in total, and that consistency has left them well positioned going into the final round of Group A fixtures, with progression still firmly within reach.

Comoros possible starting lineup:

Pandor; Abdallah, Toibibou, Soilihi, Boura, Bakari; Bourhane, Z. Youssouf, M’Changama; Maolida, Said

Mali possible starting lineup:

Diarra; W.Coulibaly, Diaby, O. Camara, Gassama; Dieng, Doumbia, L. Coulibaly, Sangare, Bissouma; Sinayoko

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