The second Group-A AFCON encounter is scheduled to have one the tournaments dark horses face Zambia.
In Group were the host nation Morocco has taken the lead with a convincing win against an underdog in the opening fixture, between Mali and Zambia, what are the permutations and which side has one leg upfront prior to the game.
Game Analysis
In a game which sets out to be one of the cagey encounters taking into consideration, both teams last five recent head-to-head. Statistics have indicated that, games between Mali and Zambia in recent times have resulted in two wins for Zambia, two draws and most recently, Mali have seemed to found the antidote in clutching a win against Zambia.
Interesting, Mali in their five previous games have lost only one, secured three wins and shared points with Jordan, a game which ended in a 0:0 scores. Their much recent performances have also indicated that, they are very sound defensively hence, shipping in three goals whiles firing in all cylinders to register nine goals in their last five games.
Mali are regarded to have one of the decent defensive back-line, they have in post, Mamadou Samassa as their safe pair of hands – the veteran goalkeeper with his experience has seemed to be the glue gelling the two central-defensive pairs, Camara and Fofana whiles on the right and left side of defense, Woyo Coulibaly of Sassuolo and Dante would both complement the defense whiles marrying attacking responsibilities.
Meanwhile, based on the fact that Zambia’s recent outing has been engulfed with no hope – loosing four and recording just a win in the last five games prior to this game.
Can Zambia pull of an astonishing performance? It’s not entirely out of place should Zambia make a statement with their debut group game in the 2025 AFCON against Mali. Certainly, Chipolopolo are one of the sides with vast experienced hence, in as much as they not been in good form lately, they can make things happen their favor tonight.
Match predictions
One thing is certainly taking center-stage in this game and that is, Zambia are definitely going to attempt to stay compact in the heart of defense but they will surely concede two goals or more from the free scoring attack of Mali, the likes of Doumbia, Coulibaly, Nene and the Toure as their center-forward would obviously biite the Chipolopolo.
However, in a worse case scenario, Zambia will secure a slim one-goal win against Mali and if I’m to record it in percentage terms, its 25% chance that Zambia are going to win this game.
My surest prediction is, a win or draw for Mali.
