Morocco will stay in first place in Group A if they beat Mali on Friday in the second round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The Atlas Lions beat Comoros 2-0 on Sunday to start the event and are now two points ahead of the Eagles in Group A. The Eagles’ first game ended in a 1-1 draw against Zambia.
Morocco labored to find their rhythm in the first half of their opener, squandering all seven chances, including a missed 11th-minute penalty from centre-forward Soufiane Rahimi.
After the break, Morocco sharpened their edge. Brahim Diaz finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi put the result beyond doubt with a spectacular overhead kick that may well be remembered as one of the tournament’s finest goals.
This victory stretched Morocco’s unbeaten run to 18 games, including 15 wins in regular time. The other three featured a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Senegal in the African Nations Championship final and an extra-time triumph against Jordan on their way to Arab Cup glory.
Tipped as clear favorites for the AFCON crown, Morocco’s Friday showdown marks another stride toward ending their decades-long wait for a second continental title, their only previous triumph dating back to 1976.
Beating Mali would all but secure Morocco’s place at the summit of Group A, further cementing their reputation for strong starts after winning both opening matches in two of the last three tournaments.
Mali’s journey mirrored the hosts’ rocky start, as they too missed a first-half penalty against Zambia. Lassine Sinayoko put them ahead after the break with a close-range finish, but the Eagles’ inability to build on their lead came back to haunt them.
Leicester City’s Patson Daka struck a stoppage-time equalizer, forcing Tom Saintfiet’s side to settle for just a point. It marked a second straight draw for Mali, following a scoreless friendly with Jordan.
Mali can still draw confidence from a four-match unbeaten streak (two wins, two draws) and just a single defeat in their last six AFCON outings.
Yet Mali’s away form is a concern, with just one win in their last six games away from home. That stands in stark contrast to Morocco, unbeaten at home in competitive matches since 2009.
Recent history offers Mali little comfort, as they have failed to win any of their last four meetings with the Atlas Lions, losing three and drawing a blank in each of the last three clashes.
