Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Mali at the Grande Stade de Marrakech in Morocco on Tuesday.
The teams played at the same venue on Friday, which served as their first games since the end of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
While Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a thrilling 2-1 victory against Ghana’s Black Stars, Mali’s Eagles strolled to a straightforward 2-0 win over Mauritania.
The Super Eagles were the better side as they looked impressive in the first half of their match against the Ghanaians and capped their display with goals from Cyriel Dessers and Ademola Lookman.
But despite going a man down early in the second half, Ghana fought hard to reduce the deficit courtesy of Jordan Ayew’s stoppage-time penalty.
Mali had far less trouble overcoming Mauritania, though.
Modibo Sagnan, making his debut at centre-back, scored the opening goal after just nine minutes before El Bilal Toure added the second three minutes later to seal the win for Les Aigles. The win over the Mauritanians continued Mali’s excellent recent record.
Apart from their nail-biting quarterfinals defeat to hosts Côte D’Ivoire at the 2023 AFCON, the Malians are on a 12-game unbeaten run – dating back to a 1-0 loss to the Gambia in March 2023.
During that run, they defeated South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Saudi Arabia and drew with Tunisia.
However, in Nigeria, the Francophone nation faces a Super Eagles side that is the continent’s vice-champion.
The Super Eagles were arguably the best team at the 2023 AFCON before they were defeated by the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire’s in the final.
Despite missing a few key players against Ghana, including star forwards Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, and Taiwo Awoniyi, Nigeria still had enough quality to shoot down the Black Stars on Friday.
The three-time AFCON winners will be confident of making it two consecutive wins heading into the clash with Mali.
Head-to-head
There have been eleven previous encounters between Mali and Nigeria, with the Super Eagles boasting the better head-to-head advantage.
Nigeria have claimed six wins and three draws while losing only twice against their opponents.
The Super Eagles’ last defeat at the hands of Mali dates back to September 1975, a 4-1 reverse in an international friendly.
Over the next eight matches, Nigeria had five victories, and three draws to confirm their dominance in this fixture.
Nigeria’s most memorable win in recent times would be the 4-1 semifinal triumph at the 2013 AFCON before going on to win the title in South Africa.
The two nations last met in May 2016 in an international friendly, though, when a second-half strike from Kelechi Iheamacho handed the Super Eagles a 1-0 victory.
Team news
Nigeria’s caretaker coach, George Finidi, will be without the England-based duo of Calvin Bassey and Frank Onyeka.
With his defensive options now strained, Finidi may stick with the center-back trio of Benjamin Tanimu, Chidozie Awaziem, and Semi Ajayi, who all started against Ghana.
The former Ajax winger has promised to make changes, though, with Francis Uzoho likely to replace goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Bright Osayi-Samuel can continue at right-back for lack of other options, but Cardiff City’s Jamilu Collins could come in for left-back Bruno Onyemaechi.
In attack, Ademola Lookman and Umar Sadiq will likely start ahead of Cyriel Dessers and Kelechi Iheanacho.
As for Mali, head coach Eric Chelle has shown the Eagles can play well without highly-rated Tottenham star Yves Bissouma.
For experience, coach Chelle can count on Real Sociedad full-back Hamari Traore.
RB Leipzig box-to-box midfielder Amadou Haidara is available for selection, while exciting youngster El Bilal Toure will pose a serious threat to the Nigerian backline.
