AFCON Preview: Daunting task awaits Mali against Morocco’s 18-game unbeaten

Morocco seeks to secure its place in the knockout stages by extending an 18-match unbeaten run against a struggling Mali side in tonight’s AFCON Group A showdown.

Host nation Morocco aims to solidify its lead at the summit of Group A as they face Mali tonight at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The Atlas Lions enter the fixture following a 2-0 victory over Comoros, a match defined by a second-half resurgence after a missed penalty by Soufiane Rahimi.

This victory extended Morocco’s remarkable unbeaten streak to 18 matches, reinforcing their status as the highest-placed African nation in the FIFA rankings and clear favorites for the title.

Mali’s campaign began with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Zambia, where they surrendered a lead in stoppage time.

While Tom Saintfiet’s side remains unbeaten in four matches, their historical record against Morocco is concerning; the Eagles have failed to score in their last three meetings with the Atlas Lions.

Furthermore, Mali’s struggle on foreign soil—winning just once in their last six away fixtures—presents a significant psychological barrier against a host nation that hasn’t lost a competitive home game since 2009.

Morocco may be forced into defensive changes following an injury to Romain Saiss, with Jawad El Yamiq standing by to start.

Up front, Ayoub El Kaabi is “pushing for a starting place” following his spectacular overhead kick in the opener.

Mali could receive a major boost with the potential return of Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma.

Despite these factors, pundits expect a “hard-fought but controlled victory” for the hosts, given their superior head-to-head record and the passionate home support.