AFCON 2025: Senegal, Mali renew rivalry in tough quarter-final fixture

By Victor Okoye, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Senegal and Mali will reignite a storied rivalry when history and grit collide in a high-stakes AFCON 2025 quarter-final at the Grande Stade de Tangier on Friday, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm (Nigerian time).

Senegal has made Tangier their fortress, playing all four tournament matches there, while Mali arrived via Casablanca and Rabat after a nomadic group-stage journey.

This is only their second AFCON finals meeting, the first ending 1-1 in 2004, when Dramane Traoré and Habib Beye scored the goals in Group B.

Both teams progressed in 2004, Mali topping the group while Senegal advanced as runners-up, ahead of Kenya and Burkina Faso.

Overall, the West African rivals meet for the 41st time, with Senegal dominant: 19 wins, 13 draws, and eight Mali victories.

Senegal has also outscored Mali 61-38 and remains unbeaten in their last 13 meetings, recording six wins and seven draws.

Mali’s last victory over Senegal came in 1997, while their most recent duel in 2019 ended 2-1 for Senegal, inspired by a late Sadio Mané brace. Mali reached the quarter-finals without an open-play win, drawing all four matches before edging Tunisia 3-2 on penalties in the Round of 16.

Coach Tom Saintfiet admitted the challenge ahead, saying, “We are not favourites. Senegal will be the favourites, like Morocco and Tunisia before them.

“We have a clear objective to stay in the competition. We must stay calm and play our football.”

NAN reports that Mali are appearing in the quarter-finals for the eighth time and could reach a sixth semi-final if they overcome Senegal.

Their knockout resilience is proven, having won three of four AFCON penalty shoot-outs, including the dramatic victory over Tunisia.

Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra starred against Tunisia, making five saves and stopping two penalties, earning man-of-the-match honours.

Lassine Sinayoko leads Mali’s attack with three goals, remaining unbeaten in all six AFCON matches in which he has scored. Another goal would place Sinayoko among Mali’s elite scorers, alongside Fantamady Keïta and Frédéric Kanouté.

In spite of the resilience, Mali are on a five-match winless AFCON run and risk history if they reach the semi-finals without an open-play victory.

Senegal arrives with momentum, winning three matches in open play and remaining unbeaten in their last 15 AFCON games.

Their last AFCON defeat was the 2019 final, and they have scored in eight consecutive tournament matches.

Coach Pape Thiaw praised his side’s comeback against Sudan, saying, “We needed to dig deep and I give credit to my players.”

 “We will correct our mistakes and pursue our goals with intensity. Nobody wants to come up against Senegal.”

Senegal is unbeaten in open play across their last nine AFCON knockout matches, underlining their pedigree at this stage.

This is Senegal’s 10th quarter-final appearance, having won three of their last four at this level.

Sadio Mané remains influential, providing a tournament-high three assists and extending his AFCON record to nine.

With history favouring Senegal and Mali thriving on defiance, Tangier awaits a contest shaped by pedigree, persistence and pressure.

(NAN Features)