Qualified without brilliance at the end of the group stage, the Tunisian selection is preparing to play a decisive round of 16 against Mali, Saturday evening at the Mohamed V stadium in Casablanca. A crucial meeting for the Eagles of Carthage in search of redemption and certainty in this 2025 African Cup of Nations.
Tunisia will meet Mali on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. at the Mohamed V stadium, in one of the most anticipated round of 16 of this CAN 2025. After a lackluster performance during the first round, marked in particular by a draw conceded against Tanzania, the Tunisians approach this meeting with the obligation to clearly raise their level of play.
Facing them, a solid Malian selection, renowned for its physical intensity, its tactical discipline and its ability to impose a high pace. The duel promises to be balanced, with little margin for error for both teams in this knockout format.
Tunisia ordered to react
Criticized for the quality of its play during the group stage, Tunisia knows that the time for calculations is over. The technical staff and players are expected to be able to correct the deficiencies observed, particularly in offensive animation and the management of highlights.
This round of 16 represents a real test of character for a group engaged in a transition phase, but determined to restore confidence to the Tunisian public and to break with the early eliminations of previous editions.
Mali, an unapologetic adversary
For its part, Mali is approaching this meeting with ambition and serenity. Accustomed to major continental meetings, the Malian Eagles are counting on their collective cohesion and their commitment to shake up a Tunisian team still in search of stability.
The duel promises an intense clash in midfield, where control of the game and defensive rigor could make the difference.
Beyond a simple qualification for the quarter-finals, this Tunisia-Mali could mark a turning point in the trajectory of the Carthage Eagles in this CAN 2025. A victory would revive the dynamic and restore momentum to a selection under pressure, while an elimination would confirm the persistent difficulties of Tunisian football on the African scene.
History of confrontations
The history of Tunisia-Mali confrontations in the African Cup of Nations (CAN) is balanced, marked by intense rivalry, including a memorable CAN 2021 match with referee Janny Sikazwe interrupting the match prematurely (Tunisian defeat 1-0).
This remains one of the most memorable episodes of this rivalry. In a match that will go down in history, Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe blew the whistle far too early, controversially interrupting the match. In an interview afterwards, he revealed that he had suffered from sunstroke. This unique incident left its mark and remains an essential anecdote when we talk about the Mali – Tunisia confrontations.
Over all their confrontations, Tunisia has 6 victories against 5 for Mali, with 2 draws. The two nations have faced each other nine times in the African Cup of Nations with 4 successes for Tunisia and 3 for Mali.
In the final phase of the CAN, the statistics are in favor of Mali:
- CAN 1994: March 26, 1994 / Tunisia – Mali 0-2
- CAN 2019: June 28, 2019 / Tunisia – Mali 1-1
- CAN 2021: January 12, 2022 / Tunisia – Mali 0-1
- CAN 2023: January 20, 2024 / Tunisia – Mali 1-1
