Mali vs Senegal Prediction & Betting Tips (9 January)

Mali is gaining in consistency having reached the round of 16 of the CAN four times in the last four editions. Today, the Malians are aiming for a new feat after their success that came out of nowhere against Tunisia in the TAB 1/8th final, playing a good part of the match outnumbered. During the previous African Cup of Nations, Mali had already reached this stage of the 1/4 finals. It should nevertheless be noted that this selection was not able to win a single match at the end of regulation time in this CAN, following its three draws in the group stage against the Comoros 0-0, Morocco 1-1 and Zambia 1-1. Senegal is one of the favorites with Morocco and Algeria and is performing at the level in this African Cup of Nations.

It's very simple, the Senegalese have still not lost in this edition and this has continued since 2019 now. In the 1/8th final, the Lions of Teranga were scared against Sudan by conceding the first goal in the 6th minute of play but they quickly put the church back in the village center by scoring 3 goals, winning 3-1. This is already the 3rd match with 3 goals scored in this African Cup of Nations for Senegal, which crushed Botswana 3-0 and Benin 0-3. The only alert occurred against the DRC during the 2nd day of the 1-1 group stage. 

For this meeting, Mali will recover midfielder Amadou Haidara, suspended during the 1/8 final following his exclusion from the 3rd group match. On the other hand, in the cross chase, he will come across the starting right side Woyo Coulibaly (Sassuolo), the midfielder Doumbia (Al-Ittihad) and Dorgeles Nene (Fenerbahce), all three suspended. On the other hand, Paris FC defender Hamari Traoré (ex-Rennes/Real Sociedad) played for the first time in the competition during the 1/8 finals by entering the game. This was not the case for Sikou Niakaté (Braga, injured) and G.Diarra (Feyenoord), used three times off the bench during the group phase but forfeited against Tunisia. The national hero of course remains the excellent Lassine Sinayoko (Auxerre), author of 2 goals during the group matches and brilliant at the end of the match against Tunisia by equalizing (3 goals in the competition). In the offensive sector, the Malian coach can also rely on a former resident of Ligue 1: El-Bilal Touré (Besiktas) without forgetting to mention Lensois Sangaré.

Midfielder Yves Bissouma (Tottenham) will be operational. Good news for Senegal which will recover the central holder Koulibaly (Al-Hilal, 101 caps), suspended during the 1/8th final. Return planned to the rank of holder for the former Neapolitan. Let us remember, however, that Pape Thiaw (coach) preferred to dismiss boys like Amad Diallo (Manchester United) and Nobel Mendy (Rayo Vallecano) while Camara and Assane Diao (Calcio Como) were forced to throw in the towel due to physical problems. For the rest, it's heavy, especially in the offensive sector with the inexhaustible Sadio Mané, author of 2 assists during the round of 16 on the golaso ​​of Pape Gueye (Villarreal) author of a double and the Parisian Ibrahim Mbaye, who had just replaced the former Marseille player Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace) still without a goal scored in the competition. The full-back Jakobs (ex-Monaco) will be a good addition, as will the interesting Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), author of 2 goals in the competition. 

• Summary: Mali is going head to head with Senegal starting on 9 Jan 2026 at 16:00 UTC at Stade Ibn-Batouta stadium, Tanger city, Morocco. The match is a part of the Africa Cup of Nations, Knockout stage .
• Mali Feedinco Rating: 6.77
• Senegal Feedinco Rating: 7.06