West African rivals Mali and Senegal face off this Friday in Tangier for a high-stakes quarter-final that promises to be one of the most intense battles of the tournament. The Lions of Teranga continue their relentless march toward a second continental title, while the Eagles of Mali enter the last eight after one of the most heroic defensive displays in AFCON history.
Senegal reached this stage by clinical means, overcoming Sudan 3-1 in the Round of 16. Mali’s path was far more dramatic; they eliminated Tunisia in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout in Casablanca, having played nearly 100 minutes of football with only ten men.
Match details: Time and Venue
The quarter-final double-header kicks off in the north of Morocco at the spectacular Ibn Batouta Stadium, where the cool coastal breeze will provide the backdrop for this regional derby.
- Date: Friday, 9 January 2026
- Kick-off: 16:00 GMT (17:00 local time)
- Venue: Ibn Batouta Stadium (Grand Stade de Tanger), Tangier
AFCON 2025: Schedule, results and standings of the Africa Cup of Nations
Where to watch the game globally
The 2025 edition of AFCON has reached the final eight. Fans can follow the journey to the semi-finals through the following major providers:
- UK: Channel 4 (Free-to-air) on 4Seven and the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel.
- USA & Canada: beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en Español. Streaming via Fubo, Sling TV, and Fanatiz.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport (English/Portuguese) and Canal+ Afrique (French).
- Senegal: RTS (Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise).
- Mali: ORTM (Office de Radiodiffusion-Télévision du Mali).
- Australia & NZ: beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
Team news
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw has the luxury of a deep and healthy squad. Bayern Munich’s Nicolas Jackson is in top form after his group-stage brace, while teenager Ibrahim Mbaye has become the tournament’s breakout sensation, scoring the winner against Sudan just minutes after coming off the bench. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly returns to the heart of the defense after serving a suspension, further strengthening a side that has looked nearly unbreakable.
Quart de finale.
Deux nations, une place en demi-finale.Les Lions de la Téranga sont prêts à répondre présent 💪🏾🦁
Concentration, caractère et fierté nationale.📍 Quart de finale
🇸🇳 Sénégal 🆚 Mali 🇲🇱
⏳ Le combat commence maintenant.#LionsDeLaTéranga #FootballSénégal… pic.twitter.com/12xZL8uR7z— Football Senegal (@FootballSenegal) January 3, 2026
Mali, led by Tom Saintfiet, will be forced to reshape their backline. Right-back Woyo Coulibaly is suspended following his straight red card against Tunisia. However, the Eagles will be buoyed by the heroics of goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who made two vital saves in the shootout. Yves Bissouma will need to be at his creative best to unlock the Senegalese defense, while Lassine Sinayoko—the stoppage-time hero against the Carthage Eagles—is expected to lead the attack.
Mali vs Senegal prediction and betting tips: battle for AFCON semifinal
Regional rivalry
The historical data leans toward the Lions. In their seven previous competitive meetings, Senegal has won four, with the remaining three ending in draws. Their only previous clash in the AFCON finals came in 2004, a match that ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Despite the odds, Tom Saintfiet believes his team’s spirit is their greatest asset:
“After playing with ten men for so long and winning, my players feel they can achieve anything,” Saintfiet said. “Senegal is the favorite, but we have the soul of a lion-killer.”
Pape Thiaw remains focused on the task at hand:
“Mali showed incredible resilience to get here. We expect a physical, tactical battle. We must be patient and use our depth to wear them down.”
Quarter-Finals: Friday Fixtures
| Match | Venue | Time (GMT) |
| Mali vs Senegal | Tangier | 16:00 |
| Cameroon vs Morocco | Rabat | 19:00 |
