Morocco vs Mali International Friendly Preview
Fresh from solid starts to their AFCON qualifying campaigns, Morocco and Mali square off in an international friendly at the Grand Stade de Tangier.
The Atlas Lions will be keen to give the home fans a show and should have the upper hand over the West Africans, who do not travel well.
Key Stats
- Morocco have won five of their last seven matches in all competitions.
- Morocco have won their last three home matches.
- Mali are winless in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Mali are winless in six of their last seven away matches in all competitions.
Morocco with the Edge
Morocco have four wins while Mali have picked up three victories, with three draws in the last 10 matches. The most recent meeting was a group stage clash at the 2025 AFCON, with both teams battling to a 1-1 draw.
Morocco Remain Imperious
Morocco head into this clash off the back of a 2-0 victory over Lesotho in the AFCON qualifiers. Brahim Diaz opened the scoring just before the break while Azzedine Ounahi added the second eight minutes from time.
That was the second straight win for Morocco, who began with a 2-0 home victory over Gabon. Both results are part of a solid run for Mohamed Ouahbi's team, who have won five of their last seven matches in all competitions.
Morocco often do their best work on home soil and will be looking to put on a show for the fans in this one. The Atlas Lions have won their last three home matches in all competitions.
Mali’s Away Blues
Mali are also coming off a victory after picking up a 1-0 win over Liberia in the qualifiers. They were made to work hard for the win, with a second-half strike from Martial Tia proving the difference.
The result means Mali will head to Tangier with some confidence, having now picked up two straight wins. Les Aigles began their qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Cape Verde.
While things appear smooth for Mali, a closer look at their recent form reveals they have only picked up two wins from their last 10 matches in all competitions. Anthony da Silva’s team have also struggled on their travels and are winless in six of their last seven away matches in all competitions.
Team News & Predicted Line-ups
Morocco (4-2-3-1): Yassine Bounou; Achraf Hakimi; Issa Diop, Abdelhamid Ait Boudial, Noussair Mazraoui; Ayoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui; Brahim Diaz, Azzedine Ounahi, Abde Ezzalzouli; Soufiane Rahimi.
Achraf Hakimi and Soufiane Rahimi could earn starts after coming off the bench last time out, while Ayoub Bouaddi is also pushing to return having sat out the win over Lesotho. Ounahi and Diaz are expected to retain their places in the team following their goals in the previous fixture.
Mali (4-2-3-1): Djigui Diarra; Hamari Traore, Ousmane Camara, Nathan Gassama, Daouda Guindo; Mamadou Sangare, Aliou Dieng; Martial Tia, Kamori Doumbia, Dorgeles Nene; Lassine Sinayoko.
Tia is likely to be handed another start after netting Mali’s only goal last time out. Lassine Sinayoko should lead the line for the West Africans while Ousmane Camara and Nathan Gassama are set to continue their partnership in central defence.