Lassine Sinayoko is enjoying one of the best spells of his career, but he still has unfinished business with the Mali national team: scoring his first goal in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. The Paris FC forward will have another opportunity in a crucial two-match showdown against Rwanda.
The 26-year-old has started both of Mali's qualifying matches. Although he has yet to find the net, he has already provided an assist in the 3-1 victory over Cape Verde, while also featuring in the 1-0 win against Liberia.
His production for Paris FC stands in contrast to his international scoring drought. Sinayoko has recorded nine goals and five assists in 10 rounds of the 2026-27 Ligue 1 season, making him one of the French league's most influential players. He has also been directly involved in 14 of his team's 17 goals.
The Eagles sit second in Group K with six points, level with Rwanda, but trailing on goal difference: +3 for both teams, with Rwanda scoring five goals compared to Mali's four.
Matchdays three and four will be crucial. Mali will face Rwanda on November 13 before meeting them again away from home on November 17. Two positive results could put Mali at the top of the group and leave Cape Verde under pressure, after the island nation lost its first two matches and remains without a point.
Sinayoko knows what it takes to lead his country's attack. He was Mali's leading scorer at the two most recent editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, with the team reaching the quarterfinals on both occasions.
At AFCON 2025, for example, he scored three goals in four matches. Now, he aims to bring that scoring touch to the qualifiers and turn his outstanding form in France into results for his country.
The mission is clear: end his scoring drought, get past Rwanda and move Mali closer to qualifying for AFCON 2027.
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