2025/26 AFCON

This preview has expired.

See all our latest betting tips or suggested betting sites

Saturday 4
Sunday 5
Monday 6
Tuesday 7
Wednesday 8
Thursday 9
Friday 10
Saturday 11
Sunday 12
Monday 13
Tuesday 14

Mali vs Zambia Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Mali set for winning start

Andrew Hendrie

Editor

Last updated: Mon 22 Dec 2025 06:13

Andrew Hendrie 22 Dec 2025

Share this article

Mali vs Zambia predictions for Monday's AFCON Group A game
Mali has never lost an opening AFCON game; strong start expected.
Zambia struggling with form, losing nine of last ten matches.
Kamory Doumbia is in form for Mali & backed to make an impact
The game is scheduled for kick off at 1.00am AEDT on Tuesday December 23

Expired

Kamory Doumbia of Mali (Photo by Getty Images)

Mali vs Zambia Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

Mali will be confident of getting their AFCON campaign off to a winning start when they meet 2012 champions Zambia in Group A action at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca on Monday.

Mali vs Zambia Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Mali vs Zambia Stats & Trends
Mali vs Zambia Head to Head
Mali Form Analysis
Mali Team News
Zambia Form Analysis
Zambia Team News
Mali vs Zambia Live Stream

These two nations, along with Comoros, will likely be battling it out behind hosts Morocco for the second automatic qualifying spot in Group A, making this a hugely important encounter. Mali have a history of starting the AFCON well - indeed, they've never lost their opening match at the tournament, winning eight and drawing five, while they're in decent form heading into this clash, going unbeaten in four of their last five outings in all competitions. By contrast, Zambia - who shocked the football world by winning the 2012 AFCON - are down on confidence having lost nine of their last 10 games, while they also recently parted ways with former Chelsea manager Avram Grant, with Moses Sichone taking charge for the tournament.

Mali are clearly the more settled side coming into the AFCON and they traditionally start well, while Zambia have lost four straight games and undergone a coaching switch just a couple of weeks before the start of the tournament. With only one of Mali's last 15 games seeing both teams score, a win to nil for the favourites looks good value. Brest attacker Kamory Doumbia has been in great form lately in Ligue 1, registering three score involvements in his last four outings (two goals, one assist), while he was also top scorer for Mali during their World Cup qualifying campaign with eight. Correct score backers should look for a narrow 1-0 or 2-0 win for Mali.

Mali vs Zambia Stats & Trends

Mali are unbeaten in four of their last five games, winning three
Mali are unbeaten in their last 13 AFCON opening games, winning eight
BTTS - No has landed in 14 of Mali's last 15 games
Mali's last nine wins have been to nil
Zambia are on a four-game losing streak & have lost nine of their last 10 games
Zambia have failed to score in four of their last six defeats
Zambia have failed to win a single group AFCON game since winning the title in 2012
Kamory Doumbia has scored 15 goals in 28 games for Mali, including eight in World Cup qualifying
Kamory Doumbia has scored two goals in his last four games for Brest in Ligue 1
Mali beat Zambia 1-0 in their most-recent clash, while three of their wins in AFCON qualifying were by a 1-0 score

Mali vs Zambia Head to Head

Zambia are unbeaten in five of the last six meetings between the teams, but Mali prevailed 1-0 in their last encounter in 2022.

Mali Form Analysis

Mali once again enter the Africa Cup of Nations as potential outsiders to go all the way, but they've underachieved in their last few appearances, failing to make it past the quarter-finals in the last five editions following back-to-back third-place finishes in 2012-13.

The Eagles comfortably qualified for the AFCON in top spot in their group ahead of Mozambique, going unbeaten in their six games and conceding just one goal in the process.

However, Mali failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, finishing third in their group behind Ghana and Madagascar. Tom Saintfiet's side were unlucky as their goal difference of +11 was better than every team that finished second in all of the other groups.

Mali Team News

Mali will be sweating on the fitness of captain Yves Bissouma, who hasn't played all season with Tottenham due to injury.

Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra (Young Africans), Ismael Diawara (IK Sirius), Mamadou Samassa (Laval)

Defenders: Sikou Niakate (SC Braga), Abdoulaye Diaby (Grasshoppers), Woyo Coulibaly (Sassuolo), Fode Doucoure (Red Star), Hamari Traore (Paris FC), Ousmane Camara (Angers SCO), Mamadou Fofana (New England Revolution), Nathan Bassama (Baltika), Amadou Dante (Arouca)

Midfielders: Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig), Lassana Coulibaly (Lecce), Mohamed Camara (Al-Saad / Qatar), Mamadou Sangaré (RC Lens), Aliou Dieng (Al-Ahly), Yves Bissouma (Tottenham), Mahamadou Doumbia (A Ittihad), Ibrahima Sissoko (VFL Bochum)

Forwards: Nene Dorgeles (Fenerbahce), Gaoussou Diarra (Feyenoord), El-Bilal Toure (Besiktas), Lassine Sinayoko (AJ Auxerre), Kamory Doumbia (Brest), Mamadou Doumbia (Watford), Gaoussou Diakite (Lausanne-Sport), Mamadou Camara (Laval)

Zambia Form Analysis

It's been a dire run of recent form for Zambia, who enter the AFCON on a four-game losing streak and having lost nine of their last 10 games in all competitions, leading to the dismissal of Avram Grant.

Moses Sichone has taken over and will be hoping to get his side to draw on the memories of their triumphant 2012 AFCON campaign, where the Chipolopolo defeated Ivory Coast in a dramatic penalty shootout in the final.

Zambia were excellent in AFCON qualifying though, winning four of their six games and finishing ahead of Ivory Coast in their group. However, World Cup qualifying was a different story, with Zambia ending the campaign in fourth place behind Morocco, Niger and Tanzania.

Zambia Team News

No fresh injury concerns for Zambia, with Leicester City striker Patson Daka set to be the main man leading the line.

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Francis Mwansa (Zanaco), Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos)

Defenders: Mathews Banda (Nkana), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Obino Chisala (Al Merrikh), Kabaso Chongo (Zesco United), David Hamansenya (Leganes), Gift Mphande (Zesco United), Frankie Musonda (Bahrain SC), Benson Sakala (Bohemians 1905), Stoppila Sunzu (Changchun Yatai)

Midfielders: Joseph Sabobo Banda (Hapoel Be'er Sheva), Lameck Banda (Lecce), Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian), Wilson Chisala (Zanaco), Given Kalusa (FC Muza), Kings Kangwa (Hapoel Be'er Sheva), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari), Lubambo Musonda (FC Magdeburg), Pascal Phiri (Zesco United), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha), David Simukonda (Zesco United), Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos)

Forwards: Patson Daka (Leicester City), Jack Lahne Kalichi (Austria Lustenau), Eliya Mandanji (Zanaco), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan).

Mali vs Zambia Live Stream

Watch and bet on Mali vs Zambia live AFCON soccer from Casablanca.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Bet365 > Soccer > AFCON with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Mali v Zambia

Mali are the more settled team in superior form and won the last meeting between the pair - they should prevail in a low-scoring affair, with Kamory Doumbia looking a threat.

BTTS - No

Both Teams To Score

$1.58 - 4 Units

The GOAT.

Ahead of the Game.

Join Australia's newest online bookmaker with code BETSAU and enjoy exciting new ways to bet. The app is among the fastest in the market. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at betr

Mali

Win To Nil

$2.35 - 2 Units

Use Easyform

The Ultimate Form Guide

18+ only. Gamble Responsibly. T&Cs apply

Bet at Playup

Kamory Doumbia

First Goalscorer

$6.50 - 1 Unit

Same Game & Race Multis