Mali vs Senegal: Teranga Lions’ attack meets Eagles’ defensive wall in AFCON 2025 quarter-final
by Devesh Jaganath | by Cydias Aujard
Can Senegal’s attack breach Mali’s backline in West African Derby
The quarter-finals at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations burst into life this evening with a West African Derby, as Mali prepare to take on Senegal at the Ibn Battouta Stadium in Tangier. You can find all the key insights to this clash in our Mali vs Senegal prediction.
The Lions of Teranga are one of the favourites to go all the way and claim their second continental title in Morocco this year, and they came through the group stage with flying colours, topping Group D with two wins and a draw before ousting Sudan 3-1 in the Round of 16.
Of the eight remaining teams, Mali are the clear underdogs according to the best online betting sites, and their pathway to this stage has been an unusual one, as the Eagles have yet to win a match in regulation time. They drew all their group-stage matches and beat Tunisia on penalties in the last 16.
While this is only the second time these West African rivals will meet at the AFCON finals, they have crossed paths 40 times across all competitions, and the Teranga Lions hold the head-to-head advantage, with 19 wins to Mali’s eight, while 13 games have ended level.
Adding to expectations that the 2021 champions should progress from this tie is the fact that they have played all four of their matches in this tournament here in Tangier, while the Eagles have played three games in Casablanca and one in Rabat.
The popular consensus is that Pape Thiaw’s side will dictate the tempo in this match and should have the bulk of the attacking opportunities, given their incredible attacking power. Senegal have scored 10 goals in this competition so far - Mali has scored three in four games.
However, that record is unlikely to faze Tom Saintfiet’s side, as their campaign to this point has been built on disciplined defence. They are comfortable sitting deep and absorbing pressure, and while it may not be attractive, it has been effective.
Physically has been a major part of the Eagles’ gameplan in this competition - as illustrated by the two red cards they’ve received so far - and if they can impose themselves and frustrate the Teranga Lions here, we could see a grandstand finish in the closing stages in Tangier tonight.
Sinayoko vs Mane: Key players to watch in West African Derby
While Mali have largely relied on their defence in this competition, Lassine Sinayoko has been their standout performer going forward, having scored all three of the Eagles' goals in this tournament, while also slotting away his spot-kick against Tunisia in the last 16.
The Auxerre attacker has now netted six goals for his country at the Africa Cup of Nations, the third-most in their tournament history, and Mali have never lost a match in this competition when he has been on the scoresheet. You can follow the match in real-time via our AFCON 2025 livescores.
Still, Sinayoko’s impact will rely heavily on his side’s ability to keep their opposition’s attack at bay, and Mamadou Sangare will be key to doing so. The Lens midfielder has made 15 successful tackles at AFCON 2025 - the most of any player in the competition to date.
In goal, Djigui Diarra was immense in the Round of 16, recording five saves in regulation time against Tunisia - the most in a single match in this competition - while he also made two saves in the penalty shootout to lead the Eagles into the last eight.
As for Senegal, despite the star-studded roster at their disposal, Sadio Mane is still the main man in their attack. He has notched up a goal and three assists in this competition and now holds the all-time record for assists at the Africa Cup of Nations (9).
Around the 2021 Player of the Tournament, the Lions of Teranga’s attack is dripping with class, with the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr, Moussa Niakhate and Pape Gueye, who scored twice in their last match, all capable of producing match-winning performances.
