Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
One of the key matches in the 6th round of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will take place on Tuesday in Bamako, where Mali will host Eswatini. Here's a betting suggestion with solid winning potential.
Match Preview
Mali is a consistent force in African football, and their qualification campaign for AFCON 2025 has been exemplary. Having already secured a spot in the tournament, Mali remains undefeated after five matches, including three victories over Eswatini, Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique.
However, their journey in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers has been far from smooth. Sitting fourth in their group, the Malians trail Comoros and Ghana by four points. To revive their World Cup hopes, Mali must drastically improve their performance in the remaining games.
Eswatini, often regarded as an underdog in African football, continues to struggle on both qualifying fronts. In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, they have suffered four consecutive defeats with a goal difference of 1:6.
Their AFCON 2025 qualification campaign has also been dismal. Narrow defeats to Guinea-Bissau (0-1) and Mali (0-1) were followed by a solitary bright spot—a draw against Mozambique on the road. However, they fell 0-3 to Mozambique in the reverse fixture. Last week, Eswatini managed a 1-1 home draw against Guinea-Bissau, showcasing limited improvement.
Probable Lineups
- Mali: Djigui Diarra; Diakité, Abdoulaye Diaby, Mamadou Fofana; Sinaïoko, Dieng, Amadou Camara, Doucouré; Bissouma, Djenepo, El Bilal Touré
- Eswatini: Sandanezwe; Manana, Dlamini, Gamede, Twala, Silenge, Masangane, Matsebula, Matse, Figueiredo, Ndzinisa
Match Facts and Head-to-Head
- Mali defeated Eswatini 1-0 in their previous away encounter.
- Mali is unbeaten in their last six matches, winning three.
- None of Mali's last six games have featured over 2.5 goals.
Prediction
Bookmakers see Mali as clear favorites, offering odds of 1.30 for their victory. Considering the teams’ recent form and Mali's defensive solidity, this match is likely to have limited chances. Our suggested bet is "Under 2.5 goals" at odds of 1.85.
