Mali vs South Africa Prediction: The Eagles have a lot to prove in their opening game of the AFCON Championship

Mali have appeared in the AFCON competition thirteen times and are definitely a force to be reckoned with in this year's tournament. As they gear up to face South Africa at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium on Tuesday, the Eagles are among the favorites to clinch the title. With their impressive performance in recent games, it's almost certain that they will make it out of the group phase. Meanwhile, South Africa will be desperate to turn their fortunes around after failing to qualify for the last two seasons.

FIFA World ranking: 51th

The Eagles head here for the eighth consecutive season and have made it out of the group back to back. The last time they were here, Mali were knocked out of the last sixteen by Equatorial Guinea. 

The Eagles have been up and running since the appointment of Eric Chelle, with one defeat in the last fourteen games. Eric Chelle qualified his side for the AFCON tournament, having picked up fifteen points from a possible eighteen. 

More recently ran riot against Guinea Bissau, scoring six times and conceding twice in a friendly match. The Eagles are a free-flowing team and have shared goals between themselves in recent games. Midfielder Doumbia and Ibrahim Kone are the major threats for the Cranes, with five goals between them in the AFCON Qualifier.

Mali Likely Lineup: Diawara; Dante, Fofana, Sacko, Traore; Haidara, Bissouma, Coulibaly; Traore, Sissoko, Doumbia

Key Player: Yves Bissouma

FIFA Ranking: 66th

The one time Africa Cup of Nations march here for the eleventh time with the aim of triumphing this time after failing to qualify for the 2022 edition. Despite finishing the qualifying round in second place behind Morocco with seven points from a possible twelve, the Bafana Bafana of South Africa are now ready to prove their mettle. Although they've only managed one win over their previous five games and recently shared the spoils against Lesotho, we're confident that Hugo Broos' men have invited an experienced and formidable side for this tournament, making them stronger and more competitive than ever before."

South Africa Likely Lineup: Williams; Modiba, Xulu, Sibisi, Mudau; Sithole, Mokoena; Lepasa, Zwane, Tau; Mayambela

Key Player: Percy Tau

South Africa have won twice and drawn two games against Mali in their previous four games. However, South Africa have been underwhelming in recent games, and have won once in their previous five matches. The Bafana Bafana of South Africa's most influential players who were out with injuries are back training. Ronwen Williams, Themba Zwane and Mothobi Mvala are working hard to make it into the line-up for Bafana Bafana's first game against Mali tomorrow. On the other hand, Mali are without key men, Doucoure and Djenepo. 

The Eagles will be keen to break the jinx of four games without a win against South Africa, and with the quality in their squad, we expect Mali to come on top here. Especially when Mali have won six of their last seven games: bet on a home win for 1.97. 

With the level of enthusiasm in Mali’s camp and the quality in Bafana Bafana’s squad, we expect more than a goal here.

We think both teams might settle for a halftime draw here for 1.95.

Good luck!