Mali and Congo begin their hunt for a place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations when they go head to head at the Stade du 26 Mars in Group G of the qualifiers on Thursday.
Both sides last squared off in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship in January 2021 when the Eagles picked up a 5-4 victory on penalties.
Match preview
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Mali were denied their first appearance at the World Cup when they suffered a 1-0 aggregate defeat at the hands of Tunisia in the qualification playoffs back in March.
After picking up a 1-0 first-leg victory at the Stade du 26 Mars courtesy of Moussa Sissako's 36th-minute own goal, the Carthage Eagles returned home where they held on for a goalless draw to go through an aggregate.
Prior to that, Mali suffered a round-of-16 exit from the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations back in January, when they were beaten 6-5 on penalties by Central African side Equatorial Guinea.
Eric Chelle's side will now look to end their three-game winless run and get their AFCON qualifiers off to a flyer as they eye a ninth consecutive appearance at the continental showpiece.
They will fancy their chances of returning to winning ways this weekend as they head home where they have won four of their last five outings across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and conceding one in that time.
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Meanwhile, Congo failed to find their feet in their most recent outing on March 29 when they fell to a 2-1 friendly defeat against Sierra Leone on home turf.
In an action-packed contest at the Mardan Sports Complex, Kallum Cesay struck twice in the second period to put the visitors in front before Vieljeux Prestige Mboungou grabbed a consolation from the penalty spot in the 89th minute.
This followed a woeful run in the World Cup qualifiers, where the Diables Rouges finished rock bottom in Group H after picking up three draws and losing three of their six games.
Paul Put's men, who will be looking to end their three-year absence from the Africa Cup of Nations, head into the weekend winless in each of their last nine competitive outings, losing five and claiming four draws since a 1-0 win over Libya back in January 2021
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Team News
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Mali have called up 25 players for their upcoming qualification games against Congo and South Sudan, with the likes of Brighton and Hove Albion star Yves Bissouma and Southampton forward Moussa Djenepo headlining the team.
Bissouma, who has scored three goals in 25 appearances since his senior debut in 2015, should handle the business at the centre of the park, alongside Leipzig's Amadou Haidara and 22-year-old Mohamed Camara, who made 25 appearances for Salzburg.
Up top, we should see an attacking trio of Djenepo, Al-Jazira forward Abdoulay Diaby and 26-year-old Adama Traore, who scored once in two Europa League appearances for Moldova-based side Sheriff Tiraspol.
Meanwhile, Congo have suffered an injury blow in their preparations for this weekend's opener after 32-year-old defender Marvin Baudry picked up a muscle problem.
In his absence, either Rozan Varel, Fred Dembi or Julfin Ondongo will push for a starting role, forming a centre-back pairing with Ryan Bidounga ahead of Christoffer Mafoumbi between the sticks.
Guy Mbenza, who has eight senior caps to his name, played a key role in Wydad Casablanca's run to the CAF Champions League title and should spearhead the attack on Saturday.
Mali possible starting lineup:
Mounkoro; H Traore, Kouyate, Fofana, M Haidara; Samassekou; A Traore, A Haidara, Bissouma, Djenepo; Diaby
Congo possible starting lineup:
Mafoumbi; Varel, Dembi, Mafoumbi, Rozan; Avounou, Makouta, Bifouma; Mbenza, Mboungou, Makounana
We say: Mali 2-1 Congo
While Mali have struggled for results in recent outings, they will fancy their chances against an opposing side who have managed just one win from 11 outings. The Eagles have won four of their last five home matches and we predict they will maintain this fine run and come away with all three points on home turf once again.
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