- Monday, December 22, 2025
- Mali vs Zambia
- Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca – 1 pm [3 pm EAT]
Zambia and Mali will be desperate for a strong start in Group A when they face off at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca in the early kick-off on Monday.
The clash comes a day after hosts Morocco saw off Comoros and the victor here will ease qualification to the knockout stages.
This will be a repeat of the clash in 1994 when Zambia beat Mali 4-0 in what is their record margin win at the Afcon and also Mali’s worst defeat in the competition’s history.
The Eagles of Mali, managed by Tom Saintfiet, are still waiting on a medical report for star player Yves Bissouma but in Aliou Dieng, they have a possible replacement.
Centre forward Nene Dorgeles is a player the West Africans could rely on for goals alongside El Bilal Toure with Young Africans goalkeeper Djigu Diara leading from the back.
For Zambia, all eyes will be on Leicester City’s Patson Daka, alongside Fashion Sakala to get the desired goals for the Chipolopolo.
In other games on the day, South Africa and Angola open proceedings in Group B with Zimbabwe and Egypt facing off later.