By Joshua Kosimbom,
Journalist kick442.com – Cameroon
Morocco’s march through the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 continues under the bright lights of Rabat with a contest that goes far beyond a simple battle for points. Hosts Morocco face Mali in their second Group A match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Friday 26 December, a fixture that pits calm authority against restless ambition. On the surface, the Atlas Lions appear firmly in control of the group, but beneath that control lies a challenge that could awaken the Mali Eagles at the most dangerous moment.
Walid Regragui has already framed the context of this encounter with striking honesty, describing the tournament as “the most difficult AFCON to win in history.” His words reflect not only the quality spread across the continent but also the fine margins that define modern African football. Morocco may be playing at home, on magnificent pitches and in ideal conditions, yet comfort can be deceptive. Every opponent arrives prepared, motivated, and convinced that this is their moment to strike.
Morocco’s opening 2–0 victory over Comoros was a textbook example of controlled dominance. The Atlas Lions monopolised possession, dictated the rhythm, and squeezed their opponents into long defensive phases. With 70 percent of the ball, a passing accuracy close to perfection, and constant circulation through midfield, Regragui’s side demonstrated why they are considered one of the most tactically mature teams on the continent. Sofyan Amrabat acted as the axis, recycling play and shielding the defence, while Brahim Díaz and the advanced midfielders searched patiently for spaces between the lines.
Yet that same match also revealed the subtle risks of Morocco’s approach. The first half, despite seven attempts on goal, produced no breakthrough and even included a missed penalty. It took sharper movement and quicker vertical combinations after the break to finally dismantle Comoros, with Díaz opening the scoring before Ayoub El Kaabi’s spectacular overhead kick sealed the win. Against a more aggressive and athletic Mali side, Morocco’s patience will again be tested. Too much control without incision could invite frustration, and frustration is exactly what Mali will be hoping to provoke.
Tom Saintfiet, Mali head coach 🇲🇱 — “Morocco: Best in Africa, one of the best in the world.”
Mali arrive in Rabat with mixed emotions after a 1–1 draw against Zambia that felt more like a loss than a point gained. Having taken the lead through Lassine Sinayoko, the Eagles failed to kill the game and were punished deep into stoppage time. Still, there were encouraging signs. Mali showed bravery in one-on-one situations, attempted a high number of dribbles, and carried a consistent threat in transition. Sinayoko, already one of Mali’s most reliable scorers at AFCON, remains the focal point of their attacking hopes.
Tactically, Mali’s path to unsettling Morocco does not lie in chasing possession. Instead, it lies in disruption. The Eagles must compress space in midfield, challenge Morocco physically, and strike quickly when possession is regained. Players like Aliou Dieng and Mamadou Sangaré will be key in breaking Morocco’s passing rhythm, while quick diagonal runs into the channels can exploit moments when Morocco’s full-backs push high. If Yves Bissouma returns to fitness, even partially, Mali gain a vital outlet capable of carrying the ball through pressure and changing the tempo of the game.
The central duel of this match will be Morocco’s compact defensive block against Mali’s transitions. The hosts have been defensively impeccable in the group stages of recent AFCON tournaments, remaining unbeaten in 12 consecutive group matches and conceding very little. Their back line is disciplined, well-organised, and protected by intelligent midfield positioning. For Mali, chances will be scarce, and efficiency will be non-negotiable. Any hesitation in front of goal will likely be punished at the other end.
History heavily favours Morocco. From the emphatic 4–0 semi-final victory in 2004 to their recent run of clean sheets against Mali, the Atlas Lions have dominated this fixture. They have outscored the Eagles comfortably across 20 meetings and have not lost to them in nearly two decades. But tournaments are not decided by history alone. Mali’s long struggle in second group matches at AFCON is precisely what makes this encounter dangerous pressure can either break a team or awaken it.
A victory for Morocco would almost secure qualification and tighten their grip on Group A, reinforcing their status as favourites on home soil. For Mali, this is a defining moment: an opportunity to transform frustration into belief and to prove that discipline and courage can disrupt even the most controlled of opponents. In a tournament where, as Regragui insists, every team is ready, this clash of ambitions may be decided not by who dominates the ball, but by who best understands the moment.
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