Preview: Comoros vs Mali – predictions, team news, line-ups

Comoros face Mali on Monday in a crucial Group A encounter at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Stadium in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with both teams still in contention for a place in the round of 16.

A victory for the Coelacanthes would maintain their hopes of qualification, depending on the outcome of the Morocco v Zambia match, while a victory for Mali would guarantee their progression to the next round.

Match Preview

The Comoros enter this match still looking for their first goal of the tournament and knowing that their margin for error is extremely slim.

The Coelacanths began their campaign with a 2–0 defeat to hosts Morocco on December 21, conceding twice in the second half after a disciplined first half, before following that result with a goalless draw against Zambia on December 26.

The 2025 edition marks only the Comoros’ second participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, following their historic debut in 2021, when they reached the round of 16 and recorded a memorable group stage victory against Ghana.

Qualification for this tournament was achieved by topping their qualifying group, a notable feat which reinforced their growing presence on the continental scene despite limited experience at this level.

Under head coach Stefano Cusin, Comoros have prioritized structure and compactness, especially against top-ranked opponents. This approach was evident in the draw against Zambia, where they limited clear-cut chances, but a lack of goals became a major concern, and they have failed to score in their last four confirmed competitive matches, conceding eight in that period.

In addition to their AFCON results against Morocco and Zambia, Comoros were twice beaten by Mali in 2025 CAF World Cup qualifying, losing 3-0 in March and again by the same scoreline in September, and these defeats constitute the entirety of the confirmed competitive record between the two nations.

In their last six matches, Comoros have recorded one win, one draw and four defeats, scoring seven goals and conceding 14, and having also failed to score in their opening two matches of this year’s tournament, they face an urgent need to improve their attacking efficiency if they are to change the narrative in their final group match.

Mali head into this Group A encounter unbeaten and firmly in contention for a place in the round of 16 having drawn their opening two matches, having started the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Zambia on December 22 in which Lassine Sinayoko scored from the penalty spot before Mali conceded the equalizer.

Four days later, they followed this performance with another 1–1 draw against hosts Morocco in Rabat, with Sinayoko once again converting from the spot to secure a valuable point against one of the tournament favourites.

The Eagles are among Africa’s most consistent AFCON participants and entered the 2025 tournament with a strong continental pedigree, with their ability to handle high-pressure matches evident in their disciplined display against Morocco, which ended the hosts’ long winning streak and boosted Mali’s reputation for tactical resilience.

Tom Saintfiet’s side’s recent competitive form also includes two emphatic 3-0 victories over Comoros in the 2025 World Cup qualifying campaign, keeping clean sheets in both matches and scoring six goals in both encounters, results which provide clear historical context ahead of this AFCON encounter and represent the only confirmed competitive clashes between the teams.

Defensively, Mali have been solid throughout the calendar year, conceding just four goals in their last six matches, including two in the AFCON group stage.

Offensively, although goals have been limited in the tournament itself, their previous qualifiers have shown a greater lead, notably against Comoros.

In their last six matches, the West African nation have recorded two wins, three draws and one defeat, scoring eight goals in total, and this consistency has left them in a good position heading into the final round of Group A, with progression still within reach.

Comoros Africa Cup of Nations form:

Comoros form (all competitions):

Mali African Cup of Nations form:

Mali form (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago / DeFodi Images

Comoros made four changes from the team that lost to hosts Morocco in their opening match, with Benjaloud Youssouf, Yaris Kari, Iyad Mohamed and Faiz Selemani making way for Said Bakari, Akim Abdallah, Yacine Bourhane and Myziane Maolida in their goalless draw against Zambia on Friday.

Cusin has his full squad for Monday’s clash and is expected to stick to the changes that helped Comoros secure a point, as they look to spring a surprise against Mali.

For Mali, coach Saintfiet also made five changes, welcoming captain Yves Bissouma back from injury, while El Bilal Touré – who saw a penalty saved against Zambia – as well as Nene Dorgeles and Kamory Doumbia, dropped to the bench.

Sikou Niakate and Hamari Traoré continue their recovery in the Mali camp and are only expected to be available if the team progresses beyond the group stage.

Auxerre striker Sinayoko will be hoping to add to his tally of two goals in the tournament so far, after finding the net in Mali’s opening two matches against Zambia and Morocco.

Possible starting lineup in Comoros:

Pandora; Abdallah, Toibibou, Soilihi, Boura, Bakari; Bourhane, Z. Youssouf, M’Changama; Maolida, Said

Mali possible starting eleven:

Diarra;; w… KAby, T. Camara, Gassama; Diegan, Doumbia, l. Coulibaly, Sangaré, Bursso, today; the syoko

We say: Comoros 0-2 Mali

Both teams still have a chance of reaching the playoffs, but each needs a win, with Comoros the clear underdogs as they struggle in poor form, having gone six matches without a win and yet to score in this tournament.

Mali, on the other hand, are in good form, look strong and confident and have demonstrated their superiority over Comoros in previous head-to-heads, making them the favorites to secure a victory in this match.

For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.