Overview
Mali showed a resilient fighting spirit to win a ticket to the quarter-finals of the African Cup (CAN Cup) in a particularly disadvantageous context.
The Mali team was only 10 people left from the 26th minute, when Woyo Coulibaly received a red card after fouling Hannibal Mejbri. However, they still maintained discipline and bravery, reversing the score from a lead, equalizing in injury time before winning on penalties.
That result also reflects a remarkable reality. Tom Saintfiet's team has not yet won in 90 minutes in the first 4 matches of the tournament. Therefore, Mali's next goal is to break the jinx with a victory in official competition time, thereby winning a ticket to the semi-finals.
After the energy-consuming match with Tunisia, Mali is likely to face another harsh match day, especially when all 3 of their recent quarter-final matches ended unbeaten in 90 minutes.
If they overcome Senegal, Mali will return to the semi-finals for the first time since 2013, when they reached the fourth round of the strongest teams before losing to Nigeria 1-4 in the penultimate match.
On the other side, Senegal is one of the most outstanding teams in this year's tournament, ranking first in the group with two wins and one draw.
In the round of 16, Teranga Lions faced Sudan and created an impressive comeback. They were led, then took the lead in the first 45 minutes, before closing the 3-1 victory to advance to the quarterfinals.
Pape Thiaw's team entered the match with high confidence, aiming to extend the 15-match unbeaten streak in official competition (10 wins, 5 draws). Senegal also possesses another significant advantage when they are unbeaten in the last 10 encounters and determined to maintain that streak of positive results.
After the previous tournament stopped in the round of 16 by a penalty shootout defeat to the champion then Ivory Coast, Senegal set a goal to conquer the second continental title in history.
Personnel situation
Mali will not have the strongest force in this match, as Woyo Coulibaly is suspended for receiving a red card in the round of 16 against Tunisia.
In addition, Lassana Coulibaly had to leave the field in the match against Tunisia due to injury. It is likely that he will also be absent from the upcoming match.
In the opposite direction, Senegal has enough troops to choose from, bringing Pape Thiaw many options to arrange the squad.
Positive news for Teranga Lions is that captain Kalidou Koulibaly is eligible to return after suspension, causing him to be absent from the round of 16 match against Sudan. Therefore, Abdoulaye Seck is likely to give way to Koulibaly to pair with Moussa Niakhate as center-back.
In attack, Iliman Ndiaye did not play against Sudan, but he could return to the starting lineup, playing on the right wing in the attacking trio with Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson.
Expected lineup:
Diarra, Dante, Camara, Diaby, Traore, Dieng, Bissouma, Coulibaly, Doumbia, Sangare, SEko.
Mendy, Jakobs, Niakhate, Koulibaly, Diatta, P. Gueye, I. Gueye, Diarra, Mane, Jackson, Ndiaye.
The match between Mali and Senegal takes place at 11:00 PM on January 9th (Vietnam time).
