Mali vs Cape Verde Women WAFCON Preview
Mali and Cape Verde are aiming to bounce back from defeats when they meet in their second Group D clash at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
Both teams will be keen to jumpstart their campaign, and with neither defence looking convincing at the moment, an open contest could be on the cards.
Key Stats
- Mali have conceded in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Mali have scored in six of their last eight matches in all competitions.
- Both teams were on target in their last meeting during the qualifiers.
- Cape Verde have conceded in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
One Win Each
There have been only two previous matches between both teams as they met during the qualifiers for the tournament. Mali claimed a 1-0 victory in the first leg while Cape Verde triumphed 4-2 in the second fixture.
Mali Below Their Best Lately
Mali come into the clash off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Cameroon in their opening fixture. They fought back from an early setback to level before the break through Aissata Traore but went on to concede the winner in the second half.
While there were a few positives with the performance, the result maintains a recent poor run for Mali. Birama Konate’s team have failed to win nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
One of the major issues for Mali appears to be a shaky backline that has conceded in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, they have scored in six of the last eight fixtures in this run.
Opening Jitters for the Debutants
Cape Verde fell to a 2-0 defeat to Ghana in their first-ever WAFCON fixture. They struggled to cope with the superior quality of the West Africans and could only manage a single attempt on target.
Like the Malians, Cape Verde's overall form heading into the WAFCON has been quite unconvincing. Silveria Nedo’s team have failed to win eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
One positive for Cape Verde is that one of their wins in this run came against Mali during the qualifiers, where they claimed a 4-2 victory. Scoring four goals in that clash will also give them some confidence to be a bit adventurous on Sunday.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Mali (4-4-1-1): Fatoumata Karentao; Orokia Sissoko, Teninsoun Sissoko, Coulouba Sogore, Aliya Diagne; Salimata Diarra, Yakare Niakate, Coumba Dembele, Fatoumata Niakate; Saratou Traore; Aissata Traore.
Mali came away from their opening fixture with no injuries or suspensions and should keep faith with the team. Traore should start in attack after netting her team’s only goal, while Sissoko and Sogore are expected to feature at the back.
Cape Verde (4-3-3): Jacinta Rodrigues; Leonilde Rodrigues, Leidina Semedo, Alivia Kelly, Eleia Vieira; Natasha Whanon, Larissa Melo, Maisa Cardoso; Sandra Soares-Martins, Luriane Tavares, Ivania Moreira.
Soares-Martins was a halftime substitute for Cape Verde in the opening fixture and could play from the start on Sunday. Semedo is expected to feature at the back while Moreira should continue in attack.