Morocco host Mali tonight. Get all the team news here…
Tournament hosts Morocco can take a giant step towards qualification for the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations this evening with a win over Mali.
Walid Regragui’s side saw off Comoros 2-0 in their opener and while it was not a vintage performance from the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, it was enough to get their campaign off on a winning note.
“The first match is always complicated in the history of the AFCON. The second one is different. We are facing a team we know very well, and that knows us very well,” said Regragui.
Mali drew their opener 1-1 with Zambia after conceding an equaliser deep into injury time and know this is almost a free-hit in front of a passionate home crowd in Rabat.
Coach Tom Saintfiet said: “The pressure is mainly on Morocco. They are seen as major favourites, they are playing at home and they have a very strong team, with experience and quality in every position. We are coming without any inferiority complex. We want to try to create a surprise on Friday. All 28 players are available, ready to fight together.”
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MOROCCO TEAM NEWS
Romain Saïss is out with a minor injury while Achraf Hakimi is again on the bench as he continues his rehabilitation from an ankle problem.
Ayoub El Kaabi and Jawad El Yamiq come into the starting XI.
Morocco: Bounou; Mazraoui, Aguerd, El Yamiq, Salah-Eddine; Amrabat, Ounahi, El Aynaoui; Diaz, Saibari, El Kaabi
MALI TEAM NEWS
Mali: Diarra; Diaby, Dieng, Camara, W Coulibaly, Gassama; Doumbia, Bissouma, L Coulibaly; Sinayoko, Sangare
How to watch Morocco v Mali: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Friday is at 8pm UK time. In the UK, live AFCON 2025 coverage is on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.
Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.
Stats for Morocco v Mali
- This will be only the second meeting between Morocco and Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations, following their encounter in the semi-finals of the 2004 edition. Played in Tunis, that match ended in a 4–0 victory for Morocco
- Mali have not beaten Morocco in any competition since 2006