Mali and Zambia face off in a critical Group A clash as the Eagles look to maintain their unbeaten opening-day record while the Chipolopolo fight to end a decade-long winless drought in the tournament.
Mali begins its AFCON 2025 campaign in Casablanca against Zambia, carrying the weight of being the continent’s “eternal outsider.”
Despite holding the record for the most matches played without a trophy, the Eagles remain statistical favorites as opening-match specialists.
“Thirty years later, Mali, which holds the record for the most matches played in the competition (59) without ever having lifted the trophy, finally hopes to transform its status,” the report noted.
The spotlight remains firmly on Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma, whose participation is clouded by a recent injury and a dip in club form.
Although he may not start, his leadership is considered vital for a squad that boasted the co-best defense during the qualifying rounds.
As noted in the preview, “For Bissouma, this edition represents the ideal opportunity to give himself a breath of oxygen and to prove that he remains the technical leader.”
Zambia enters the tournament desperate to end a ten-match winless streak in AFCON final phases, dating back to their 2012 glory.
While history favors the “Copper Bullets”—including a famous 4-0 win over Mali in 1994—they are now viewed as underdogs in a group featuring hosts Morocco.
With early points proving fatal for qualification hopes, both nations understand that a positive result at the Mohammed V Stadium is essential to progress.