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Mali vs Zambia: AFCON 2025 Group A Opener Rekindles 31-Year Rivalry in Casablanca

Mali and Zambia will face off at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 for just the second time in tournament history when they open their Group A campaign on Monday at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.

This highly anticipated AFCON 2025 matchup revives a rivalry that has lain dormant on the continental stage for more than three decades.

AFCON History: Zambia Dominated the Only Previous Finals Meeting

The only prior AFCON finals meeting between Mali and Zambia came in the 1994 semi-finals, played on 6 April 1994 in Tunis. On that occasion, Zambia delivered a dominant 4–0 victory, with goals from Elihah Litana, Zeddy Saileti, Kalusha Bwalya, and Kenneth Malitoli.

That defeat remains Mali’s joint-heaviest loss in AFCON history, alongside their 4–0 loss to Morocco in 2004. For Zambia, the result still stands as one of their biggest wins at the AFCON finals.

Head-to-Head Record: Tight Contest With a Zambian Edge

Overall, the two nations have met six times across all competitions:

Zambia: 2 wins
Mali: 1 win
Draws: 3

Their most recent meeting came in a 2022 international friendly, where Mali claimed a 1–0 victory in Bamako thanks to an early goal from El Bilal Touré.

Notably, Zambia remain unbeaten in competitive matches against Mali, including encounters at the AFCON, FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and the 2016 African Nations Championship.

AFCON 2025 in Morocco: First Appearance for Both Nations as Hosts

Despite Morocco hosting the AFCON previously in 1988, neither Mali nor Zambia featured in that edition. AFCON 2025 marks their first appearance in Morocco as host nation, adding extra intrigue to this Group A opener.

Mali at AFCON 2025: Consistency and Group-Stage Dominance

Mali enter the tournament with a reputation for reliability and resilience:

15th AFCON appearance
10th consecutive finals
Unbeaten in all 13 AFCON opening matches
Won their opening game in each of the last three tournaments
On a 10-match unbeaten run in AFCON group-stage games

Under head coach Tom Saintfiet, Mali conceded just one goal during qualifying, keeping five clean sheets, and look well equipped to make another deep run.

Zambia at AFCON 2025: Searching for a Return to Glory

Zambia arrive at AFCON 2025 aiming to rediscover the form that made them champions in 2012:

AFCON champions (2012), runners-up in 1974 and 1994
19th AFCON appearance
Unbeaten in their last six AFCON opening matches
Topped their qualifying group ahead of Côte d’Ivoire

However, the Chipolopolo are winless in their last 10 AFCON finals matches, making this opening clash crucial if they are to reverse recent tournament struggles.

Mali vs Zambia: AFCON 2025 Group A Match to Watch

With Group A positioning, historical significance, and contrasting trends at stake, Mali vs Zambia promises to be one of the most intriguing fixtures of the AFCON 2025 opening round — a clash between Mali’s consistency and Zambia’s storied past on the continental stage.