2025 AFCON Preview: Senegal Faces Mali in Quarterfinal Clash

Posted : 08 January 2026

Senegal and Mali will face off in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinal at the Grande Stade de Tanger on January 9, with kick-off scheduled for 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT). Senegal have played all four of their tournament matches in Tangier, while Mali’s games have been split between Casablanca and Rabat.

This will be only the second meeting between the two sides at an AFCON finals. Their first encounter came during the 2004 AFCON group stage, ending in a 1-1 draw. Mali initially took the lead through Dramane Traoré in the 34th minute, but Senegal equalized through Habib Beye in first-half stoppage time. Both teams progressed to the quarterfinals in that tournament, with Mali topping the group.

Overall, Senegal and Mali have met 40 times before, with Senegal leading the head-to-head record with 19 wins, Mali eight, and 13 matches drawn. Senegal have outscored Mali 61-38, and they are currently unbeaten in their last 13 encounters, recording six wins and seven draws. Mali’s last victory over Senegal came in a friendly match on 26 November 1997 in Dakar. Their most recent meeting was another friendly on 26 March 2019, with Senegal winning 2-1 thanks to late goals from Sadio Mané.

Key Head-to-Head Stats:

Mali: P40 W8 D13 L19 GF38 GA61 GD-23
Senegal: P40 W19 D12 L8 GF61 GA38 GD+23

Games decided on penalties are recorded as draws, and matches from African Games since 1991 are excluded from official records as they were age-group competitions.

Mali – Key Statistics

Mali reached the quarterfinals without winning a match in open play, drawing all four of their games in regulation. They advanced past Tunisia in the Round of 16 via a 3-2 penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw following extra time. This is Mali’s eighth AFCON quarterfinal appearance, having also reached this stage in 1994, 2002, 2004, 2012, 2013, and 2023. They have progressed to the semifinals five times, most recently in 2013.

Mali’s knockout history shows a mix of extra-time and penalty drama. Their last two knockout matches went to extra time, including a quarterfinal defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in 2023. Lassine Sinayoko has scored three goals at the 2025 tournament, and Mali are unbeaten in all six AFCON matches in which he has scored. Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra saved two penalties in the Round of 16 shootout against Tunisia.

Despite limited possession and scoring chances, Mali remain resilient, with the team showing strong defensive organization and tactical discipline under pressure.

Senegal – Key Statistics

Senegal have won all three of their matches in open play so far at AFCON 2025, scoring in each game. They are unbeaten in their last 15 AFCON matches (W10 D5), their longest streak in the tournament. Senegal have been successful in knockout stages, winning quarterfinals in 2002, 2006, 2019, and 2021, with their only penalty-decided quarterfinal loss coming in 2017.

Sadio Mané has contributed three assists in the current finals, setting the record for most AFCON assists with nine. Pape Gueye has scored twice, while Moussa Niakhaté recorded the most touches and passes in Senegal’s match against Sudan. Senegal are unbeaten in open play in their last six knockout matches, scoring in each, and remain a formidable force against West African opponents.

Both teams arrive in Tanger with strong ambitions. Senegal aim to extend their unbeaten run against Mali and reach the semi-finals for the fifth time in AFCON history, while Mali seek to make history by advancing despite not winning in open play during the group stage. The match promises to be a competitive and tactical showdown, with knockout football on the line.

2025 AFCON Preview: Senegal Faces Mali in Quarterfinal Clash

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