AFCON 2025 - Preview: Morocco vs Mali
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All original articlesA decisive game later tonight in Group as host nation Morocco attempts to secure qualification to the knockout stages of the AFCON. To do so they have to sail through Mali who themselves will be seeking for a first victory in the tournament
After having ideally launched their AFCON 2025 by beating the Comoros 2-0, Morocco took control of group A. The Atlas Lions have moreover the opportunity to confirm their supremacy during their duel against Mali this Friday at 8pm GMT. The challenge is simple for the protected of Walid Regragui: a victory and it would already be the qualification for the 8th finals of the competition. It could even be a guarantee of 1st place if in the other match of the group, Zambia (3rd, 1 pt) does not beat Comoros (4th, 0 pt).
However, on the Moroccan side, there is no inflamed. Present at the pre-match press conference this Thursday, coach Walid Regragui spoke about this duel against the Malians, but also about the pressure that accompanies his group.
“It’s going to be a balanced match, we can’t wait to play it. We’re playing for 3 points by trying to qualify as early as Friday. There are a lot of expectations around us. The first match, there are several points of view on the pressure. When we look at the scores, we are in everyone’s logic, even if some won with more panache. The pressure, we have had it for a year and a half,"
he assured.
Mali must win to stay afloat
On his side, Mali has the pressure. Held in check by Zambia during the first day (1-1) with an equalizer conceded in the final seconds, the Eagles are already back to the wall. A defeat against Morocco could already put them in a difficult position in a tournament where they are considered as outsiders.
Tom Saintfiet, the Malian coach, could nevertheless receive some good news before this shock: the return of Yves Bissouma. Absent on the first day due to an injury, the Tottenham player would be a significant reinforcement for the Eagles who aim to create the first sensation of this edition by offering themselves the scalp of the host country and favorite tournament of this competition.