The Mali national team has arrived in Tangier, Morocco, ahead of their friendly match against the host team on Sunday. The team, led by coach António da Silva, is looking to build on their impressive start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where they won both their matches against Cape Verde and Liberia. The team has undergone significant changes with 11 new players called up, including three debutants.
Coach António da Silva has called up 26 players for the match, including goalkeeper Émile Ducourty, defender Adama Kamara, and forward Ange Martial Tia. The team has retained 15 players from the previous Africa Cup of Nations squad, while 13 players have been left out due to injuries or lack of form. The team's captain, Yousouf Bissouma, is currently without a club and has been left out of the squad.
The friendly match against Morocco is an important test for da Silva's new team, as they look to build on their recent successes. The match is also a chance for the coach to assess the team's readiness for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, where they will be looking to reach the semi-finals. The team's goal is to qualify for the 2030 World Cup and make a deep run in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The match against Morocco is the 21st meeting between the two teams, with Morocco leading the head-to-head record 9-6. The last meeting between the two teams in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ended in a 1-1 draw. The match will be played on Sunday at 6 pm GMT at the Grand Stade de Tanger.
The Mali team has been training in Monrovia before moving to Tangier for the match. The team's players are said to be in high spirits, and da Silva is confident that they will give a good account of themselves against Morocco. The match is a chance for the team to test themselves against a top opponent and prepare for the challenges ahead.
The friendly match against Morocco was originally scheduled against Ghana, but the Ghanaian FA cancelled the match. The Mali team has undergone significant changes under da Silva, who took over as coach last summer on a three-year contract. The team's goal is to qualify for the 2030 World Cup and make a deep run in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The match against Morocco will be an important test for da Silva's new team, as they look to build on their recent successes. The team's performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts, who will be looking for signs of progress under the new coach. The match will also be an opportunity for the team's new players to make a statement and stake their claim for a place in the starting lineup.
Key points
- Mali national team, led by coach António da Silva, arrives in Tangier for a friendly match against Morocco.
- The team has undergone significant changes with 11 new players called up, including three debutants.
- The match against Morocco is an important test for da Silva's new team, as they look to build on their recent successes.
