Mali vs South Africa Predictions

• Mali are unbeaten in seven matches, winning six in that run
• Just one of South Africa’s last eight games have gone over 2.5 goals
• Mali have scored 13 times in their last four matches

Eagles can soar to opening victory

Mali will be feeling confident ahead of their opening game of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations having finished top of their group at the last edition and having warmed up for this tournament by going seven games without a defeat.

They won six of the seven games in that run including an impressive 3-1 victory over Saudi Arabia, who beat eventual world champions Argentina not too long ago.

13 goals in their last four games highlights the strength in Mali’s squad – notably Spurs star Yves Bissouma and young midfielder Kamory Doumbia, who has five goals in his nine appearances for the Eagles.

Bafana Bafana bound to be beaten

By contrast, South Africa have managed just one win and three goals in their last five matches, in a run that has included goalless draws with minnows Eswatini and Lesotho – teams ranked, respectively, 149th and 148th in the world by FIFA.

Gone are the days of Bafana Bafana boasting household names like Benni McCarthy and Steven Pienaar and their squad is now made up predominantly of players from the nation’s top flight, which could spell trouble against a talented Mali side.

South Africa’s roster is young and inexperienced, with the highest capped member of the squad – Percy Tau – having just 45 international appearances to his name, and they could be a team for the future but, for now, this looks set to be a tournament to forget.