Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Malivs.Nigeria

sportsmole.co.uk, 24 March 2024, 20:10
Mali will take on Nigeria in a battle of the Eagles at Stade de Marrakech on Tuesday evening.

Both nations will be facing off for the eighth time in history, eight years from their last meeting in 2016.

Match preview

Mali gave a good account of themselves in their first match since the quarter-final exit at the Africa Cup of Nations, defeating Mauritania 2-0.

Debutant centre-back Modibo Sagnan scored the opening goal after just nine minutes, before El Bilal Toure added the second three minutes later to seal the win for the Eagles.

The victory over Mauritania saw Eric Chelle's side extend their unbeaten record in any game that has gone the full 90 minutes since the turn of the year, having played seven matches, including five at the last AFCON tournament.

However, they will be facing a strong side in Nigeria on Tuesday, a nation they have only beaten once in seven meetings, losing four with two draws.

The last meeting between both teams was the only friendly match played between them, and Mali lost 1-0, with Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the only goal of the game.

Nigeria were also involved in an international friendly match on Friday, securing a 2-1 win over Ghana to ensure they went home with the bragging rights in the West African derby.

Super Eagles returnee Cyriel Dessers, netted the first goal of the game from the penalty spot to give Nigeria the lead in the first half.

Despite having a numerical advantage since the 56th minute when Jerome Opoku was sent off for Ghana, it was not until the 84th minute before Ademola Lookman doubled the lead for Nigeria. However, there was still time for Jordan Ayew to pull one back for the Black Stars from the penalty spot in stoppage time.

It was the Super Eagles' first game under interim coach, Finidi George, who is looking to improve the team's result in international friendlies, as they lost six of eight exhibition matches under immediate past coach Jose Peseiro.

Another victory over Mali on Tuesday will give the former winger a legitimate claim at the job permanently, with the Nigeria Football Federation currently going through applications for the role.

Mali friendly form:

W

W

Mali form (all competitions):

W

D

D

W

L

W

Nigeria friendly form:

L

W

Nigeria form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

L

W

Team News

Mali gave several players their debuts against Mauritania, with Sagnan, Abdoulaye Diaby and Daouda Guindo, all playing their first game for the country last time out.

Lassine Sinayoko, who was the country's leading scorer at the AFCON with three goals, is expected to start in attack once again.

For Nigeria, several changes are expected from the side that played from the start in the victory over Ghana.

Lookman and Umar Sadiq could replace Iheanacho and Dessers in attack from the start, while Fisayo-Dele Bashiru could also feature in midfield at some point.

In defence, Calvin Bassey is expected to return to the starting line up alongside Kenneth Omeruo.

Mali possible starting lineup:

Diarra; Sacko, Diaby, Sagnan, Guindo; Coulibaly, Samassekou, Haidara; Doumbia; Toure, Sinayoko

Nigeria possible starting lineup:

Nwabali; Ajayi, Omeruo, Bassey; Osayi-Samuel, Ndidi, Onyeka, Onyemaechi; Iwobi, Lookman; Umar

We say: Mali 1-2 Nigeria

Previews by email

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City officially announce that manager Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Girona will be bidding to make it three straight wins in La Liga for the first time this season when they welcome Espanyol to Estadi Montilivi on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An in-form Las Palmas will be aiming to make it five wins from their last six matches in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Mallorca on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following four straight defeats leading into the international break, Aston Villa will return to action on Saturday, when Crystal Palace pay a visit to Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Saudi Pro League action will return to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium this weekend when Al Khaleej play host to the defending champions Al-Hilal on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid will be aiming to make it five straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign against Alaves at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Robert Lewandowski is a mesmerising goal scorer, but it turns out that's not his only talent. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace may be without two of their key creators when they kick off on Saturday afternoon, as an ailing Premier League campaign resumes away to Aston Villa. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A clubs Juventus and Napoli. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, with Los Blancos considering making an attempt to bring the Brazilian back to Bernabeu in January. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola deciding to extend his stay at Manchester City could be good news for them in more than one sense. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo admitted there will be one key challenge to his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, becoming a professional footballer. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Caoimhin Kelleher has the opportunity to become Chelsea's starting goalkeeper - he's too good to be Liverpool's back-up. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers could be without up to seven players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marco Silva will be working with almost a fully-fit squad when his Fulham side play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Al Ettifaq chiefs admitted they were left in shock when Jordan Henderson told them he wanted to leave just months into joining the Saudi Pro League club. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia will play their first game since the devastating DANA storm struck the region when they welcome Real Betis to Mestalla for Saturday's La Liga contest. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides that were glad to see international football intervene will return from a much-needed break on Saturday, as Aston Villa and Crystal Palace meet at Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Johnstone host Kilmarnock this weekend at McDiarmid Park, in a clash between two struggling Scottish Premiership sides. 21 November 2024 talksport.com It would take a lot to humiliate Cole Palmer on a football pitch, but he's revealed what would need to happen to do so. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Iago Aspas is once again expected to start, as Celta Vigo continue their 2024-25 La Liga campaign with a contest against division leaders Barcelona on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are set to again be without the services of a number of important players for Saturday's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo, including Lamine Yamal, with the Spaniard not yet recovering from an ankle problem. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams at opposite ends of the League One table meet on Saturday, as Burton Albion host Stockport County at the Pirelli Stadium. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo's YouTube video with Mr Beast hit one million views in just 30 minutes. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion, Ipswich Town and Southampton are all reportedly interested in signing Vasco da Gama youngster Rayan. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga leaders Barcelona will be bidding to bounce back from a surprise defeat before the November international break when they resume their league campaign away to Celta Vigo on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal need a figure up front like Alexander Isak to replace Kai Havertz. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic, looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season, are set to travel to Tynecastle Park to face relegation-threatened Hearts on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim will take charge of his first game as Manchester United manager this weekend as his side take on Ipswich.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon