Mali vs Zambia: Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Group A Match Preview
The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Group A match between Mali and Zambia is scheduled to kick off at 2pm GMT on 22 December 2025.
Mali's starting lineup includes Diarra in goal; defenders W. Coulibaly, Diaby, M. Fofana, and Dante; midfielders Dieng and Sangaré; and forwards K. Doumbia, El Bilal Touré, Nene, and Sinayoko.
Zambia's starting eleven features Mwanza as goalkeeper; defenders M. Banda, Chanda, L. Banda, and F. Sakala; midfielders Chaiwa, Tembo, L. Musonda, and B. Sakala; and forwards Kangwa and Daka.
Mali's captain Yves Bissouma will miss the match due to ankle surgery, having not played for Tottenham this season. Coach Tom Saintfiet expects Bissouma to be available later in the tournament. Additionally, RB Leipzig's Amadou Haidara, an influential player for Mali, will start on the bench for this match.
Zambia, the 2012 AFCON champions, have struggled recently, failing to win a group-stage match since that victory. They have drawn seven of their past nine group-stage games and have not qualified for the 2017 to 2021 editions, failing to reach the knockout stages in recent tournaments.
