Mali will seek to close the gap on Group I leaders as they face the Central African Republic (CAR) today at Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco. The match kicks off at 4 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT) and will be broadcast live on ORTM and ESPN.
Match Preview
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Mali comes into this fixture on the back of a dominant 3-0 win over Comoros, boosting their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Eagles have collected eight points from five matches, sitting just two points behind second-placed Madagascar and four points off group leaders Ghana. A win today would put them in a strong position to challenge for automatic qualification.
Meanwhile, CAR is struggling, having suffered a 4-1 defeat to Madagascar last week. They are winless in their last five matches, sitting just one spot above bottom-placed Chad with four points from five games. With the second-worst defense in the group (conceding 13 goals), the Wild Cats face an uphill battle against Mali’s attacking power.
Key Players to Watch
Mali boasts a squad with world-class talents such as Yves Bissouma, El Bilal Touré, and Nene Dorgeles. However, their inconsistency has hampered their qualification hopes. Their victory over Comoros was a step in the right direction, and another convincing performance today will strengthen their push for a top-two finish.
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Predicted Line-ups
Central African Republic: Youfeigane; Oualengbe, Yambéré, Gambor, Benamna; Koyalipou, Guinari, Kondogbia, Urie; Epandi, Mafouta
Mali: Diarra; Diakite, Diaby, Niakaté, Diarra; Camara, Dieng; Bissouma, Doumbia, Dorgeles; Touré
Predicted Score:
Despite CAR’s desperation to revive their campaign, Mali’s superior form and quality make them strong favorites to secure another victory.
Central African Republic 0-2 Mali
