The first quarter-final match of the 2025 AFCON features Senegal, the 2021 champions, against Mali, who finished as the 1972 runners.
Both teams from West Africa are unbeaten in the tournament so far. Senegal has scored 10 goals thus far in Morocco, including a 3-1 win over Sudan in the Last-16.
In contrast, Mali has been grinding out results by drawing all three of their group stage matches before eliminating Tunisia with 10 players in their Last-16 match.
Both teams play a physical game, setting up an intense showdown at the Tangier Stadium in this exciting West African Derby. Mali finished third in 2012 and 2013.
In their history, the teams have played against each other 34 times. Mali has won 8 matches, while Senegal has won 14, and they have drawn 10 times. Mali has scored 32 goals, while Senegal has scored 43.
Their first meeting took place in 1963, which Mali won 3-1 in an international friendly on February 23.
Mali’s coach, Tom Saintfiet, is known for being a great strategist. Eliminating Tunisia with 10 men is a tough task. However, out of the eight Nations, so far, only Mali has yet to claim the tournament title, although they did come close as the runners-up in 1972.
