Mali and Cape Verde meet in a new-look Afcon qualifying battle

Mali and Cape Verde begin their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaigns on Friday, with both teams under new management but arriving at the Stade du 26-Mars in Bamako with very different momentum.

The Group K meeting comes as Mali seek a positive start to a new era, while Cape Verde are enjoying increased attention after their remarkable run at the 2026 World Cup. Mali will visit Liberia next week, while Cape Verde host Rwanda in Praia.

Tom Saintfiet was dismissed by Mali after a 0-0 friendly draw with Russia in March. His departure followed a mixed Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign, in which the Eagles reached the quarter-finals but failed to win any of their five matches before losing 1-0 to Senegal.

Alou Badra Diallo briefly took charge in June, overseeing a 2-0 friendly defeat by Iran, before Franco-Portuguese coach Anthony Da Silva was appointed.

Mali had won four of their six qualifying matches to reach the previous Africa Cup of Nations but disappointed in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, finishing third in their group behind Ghana and Madagascar. Across those two campaigns, they won five of eight home matches, drawing twice and losing once.

Cape Verde, meanwhile, have emerged from the 2026 World Cup with a significantly enhanced reputation. The surprise participants held Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to qualify for the last 16, where they pushed Argentina into extra time before losing 3-2 after extra time to a 111th-minute goal.

Humberto Bettencourt has replaced Bubista, who moved to RS Berkane in Morocco after the World Cup. The new coach must ensure Cape Verde avoid a repeat of their disastrous Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, when they took only four points from six games and finished bottom of a group containing Egypt, Botswana and Mauritania.

Their World Cup qualifying record offers a more encouraging template: Cape Verde won seven of 10 matches to secure a historic qualification ahead of Cameroon.

The teams have met only twice recently, in qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Cape Verde won 1-0 at home before Mali responded with a 3-0 victory in the return fixture.

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Da Silva can call on in-form players including Brentford midfielder Mamadou Sangare, who has made an impressive start in the Premier League, and Lassine Sinayoko, who already has three Ligue 1 goals for Paris FC.

Yves Bissouma, a recent signing for Ajax Amsterdam, is unavailable, as are forwards El Bilal Toure and Moussa Sylla. Sekou Koita and Mamadou Doumbia have been brought in, while Adama Camara, Emile Doucoure, Almamy Gori and Ange Tia are new additions to the squad.

Cape Verde retain the core of their World Cup team, including goalkeeper Vozinha, defender Pico Lopes and forward Ryan Mendes. Steven Moreira and Helio Varela miss out through injury, with Jorge Xavier ‘Jojo’ of Vizela called up in their place. Ayoni dos Santos and Jose ‘Dje’ Tavares are also included.

Probable line-ups

Mali: Djigui Diarra; Hamari Traore, Ousmane Camara, Sagnan, Nathan Gassama; Dieng, Doumbia, Sangare; Dorgeles, Sinayoko, Gaoussou Diarra.

Cape Verde: Vozinha; Wagner Pina, Pico Lopes, Borges, Lopes Cabral; Laros Duarte, Kevin Pina, Deroy Duarte; Mendes, Livramento, Jovane Cabral.

Both sides favour a cautious approach built around counter-attacks, but Mali’s home advantage may not be enough against a confident Cape Verde team. The match appears finely balanced, with neither side an obvious favourite.