Mali vs Tunisia AFCON 2025 Round of 16: Epic Eagles Showdown Preview

Set for January 3, 2026, at Casablanca's iconic Mohammed V Stadium with a 20:00 local kick-off (19:00 GMT), this Mali vs Tunisia Afcon encounter pits two resilient runners-up against each other. Mali, unbeaten but winless in Group A, faces a Tunisia side that showcased attacking flair amid defensive lapses in Group C. Expect a tactical thriller where experience meets grit.

Group Stage Recap: How They Got Here

Mali, the Eagles, secured second in Group A with three draws: 1-1 against Zambia and Morocco, plus a 0-0 stalemate with Comoros. Their defensive solidity shone, conceding just two goals, but they've yet to win in the tournament, extending a four-match winless AFCON streak.

Tunisia, the Carthage Eagles, finished behind Nigeria in Group C, starting with a 3-1 victory over Uganda, a 3-2 defeat to the Super Eagles, and a 1-1 draw with Tanzania. They scored six but leaked five, highlighting offensive potency but vulnerabilities at the back. Both teams progressed as group runners-up, setting up this Mali vs Tunisia Afcon battle for a quarter-final spot against Senegal or Sudan.

Head-to-Head History: A Tight Rivalry

History favors Tunisia overall with seven wins in 15 meetings, but Mali dominates AFCON clashes, unbeaten in four (two wins, two draws). Their last three tournament encounters ended 1-1 or 1-0 to Mali, often low-scoring affairs with under 2.5 goals in the past six head-to-heads. This first knockout meeting could hinge on Mali's early scoring trend in AFCON matchups, where they've netted first each time.

Key Players to Watch

For Mali, Lassine Sinayoko (7.11 rating) leads the attack with his goal threat, backed by Yves Bissouma's midfield control and Mamadou Sangaré's creativity. Tunisia boasts Hannibal Mejbri (7.48 rating) for flair, Ali Abdi's width (one goal, one assist), and Ellyes Skhiri's engine room dominance. Watch for Sinayoko vs. Tunisia's leaky defense in this mali vs tunisia afcon duel.

Team News and Possible Lineups

Mali misses suspended midfielder Amadou Haidara, but Sikou Niakate and Hamari Traore are nearing fitness. Possible 3-5-2: Diarra; O. Camara, Dieng, Diaby; W. Coulibaly, Gassama; L. Coulibaly, Bissouma, Doumbia; Sinayoko, Sangaré. Tunisia has doubts over Elias Achouri (injury) and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (knee), but no suspensions. Likely 3-4-1-2: Dahmen; Valery, Talbi, Abdi; Bronn, Skhiri, Mejbri, Tounekti; Sassi; Mastouri, Gharbi.

Match Prediction: Who Advances?

Experts lean toward a close Mali vs Tunisia Afcon affair, potentially 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Mali edging via penalties due to their knockout resilience. Odds favor Tunisia slightly for a 1-2 win, but over 2.5 goals could surprise given Tunisia's group trends. Mali's defense might prevail in a low-scorer.

What's your take on the Mali vs Tunisia AFCON round of 16? Who wins, and why? Share your predictions in the comments!