Africa cup of Nations
Quarter-final – Mali v Côte d’Ivoire
Facts & Figures
Despite entering the knockout stage as the third-place qualifier, Cote d’Ivoire has shown resilience to reach the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations despite their shaky start in the competition, Cafonline reports.
The Elephants face a big test to their character when they take on the talented Mali side, who are keen on making history with their free-flowing style of play.
Below are some of the statistics and information on the game:
- This will be the sixth CAF Africa Cup of Nations encounter between Mali and Côte d’Ivoire and the first since meeting in the last 16 in 2019 (1-0 win for Côte d’Ivoire). The Elephants have never lost a CAF Africa Cup Nations match against the Eagles, winning four of their previous five games (D1). In comparison, against no other team has they played more often in the competition without losing (also unbeaten in five games against Togo).
- Mali have scored just two goals in their previous five AFCON games against Côte d’Ivoire (conceded nine), against no team that they’ve played more than twice in the competition have they scored fewer goals.
- Mali has progressed from all five previous quarter-final appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations. Indeed, it is the most number of matches any team has played in this round without ever being eliminated.
- Côte d’Ivoire are through to the quarter-finals of AFCON 2023 despite losing two of their last three matches; before the 1-0 defeat to Nigeria in their second group game this year, they’d only lost two of their previous 19 games in the competition.
- Côte d’Ivoire has only scored three goals in getting to the quarter-finals of AFCON 2023, the fewest they’ve ever scored in a single edition when playing a minimum of four matches.
- Suppose Côte d’Ivoire were to progress against Mali. In that case, the hosts (or co-hosts) will have reached at least the semi-finals in consecutive AFCON tournaments (after Cameroon finished third in 2021) for the first time since a run of seven tournaments between 1996 and 2008.
- Mali is unbeaten in their last eight AFCON matches since the start of the 2021 edition (W4 D4), conceding just three goals and keeping five clean sheets.
- Côte d’Ivoire has recorded 49 sequences of 10+ passes in open play at the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (12.3 per match). Over the last five editions, only Cameroon in 2021 (78, 11.1 per match) has made more in a single tournament.
- Côte d’Ivoire has scored from just 5.6% of their shots at AFCON 2023 (3/54); only DR Congo (5.4% 3/56) have a lower shot conversion rate among the quarter-finalists, while it’s the worst ratio in a single AFCON edition for Côte d’Ivoire on record (since 2010).
- Lassine Sinayoko has scored three of Mali’s five goals at AFCON 2023 and could become the first Malian to score four goals in a single edition since Freddy Kanoute in 2004 (4).
Africa cup of Nations
‘Qualification is our only objective’
Kévin Nicaise & Casimir Ninga (Chad coach and captain)
Chad managed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Mauritius on Friday, 22 March, in the opening leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Qualifiers. This was the nation’s first win in five years, as it aims to qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON for the first time in history.
The return leg of the qualifier is scheduled for Mauritius on Tuesday, 26 March.
CAFOnline caught up with Chad coach Kevin Nicaise, and captain Casimir Ninga posted the victory.
Coach, congratulations on the victory. Your team dominated the second period but lacked efficiency in finishing. Does this concern you?
Kévin Nicaise: We faltered a little in the finishing. However, what I remember is that we created a lot of chances. We were solid defensively. In the first half, the match was more balanced. During the second half, we took the upper hand. At the start of the game, the boys were a little stressed about what was at stake. It’s a relatively young group; they don’t all have experience compared to Mauritius. But overall, we are satisfied.
How do you plan on rectifying the lack of finishing?
KN: We are far from perfect, far from being a top team globally. We are in the construction phase. There are still things to work on and improve. It is not overnight that we will be a top team in the world, we are aware of that, however we are working hard with the group and the staff to achieve this goal. The first twenty minutes were not significant. During the second half, we dared to play and placed ourselves higher. Our group has players with a lot of quality, but the occasion stressed them initially, and then they adjusted later. We could have scored a goal a little earlier, which would have relieved everyone, but I am satisfied with my team’s performance.
Captain, what did the coach say to the team during halftime?
Casimir Ninga: During half-time, the coach told us about our missed chances. I knew we had to work harder in front of the goal and that, at some point, it would kick in.
What analysis do you make of this first meeting against Mauritius?
CN: The group has just been formed, and we are still gelling. Our opponents now know our game, and we know theirs. We will now get back to work to fill our gaps.
What will be the key to winning the return match?
CN: We will go to Mauritius to qualify. Our objective is clear. Chad has never been to the AFCON. Many generations have struggled with the accomplishment of this project. Everything comes in its time; we have good hope of getting there.
Coach, what are your team’s good points after this meeting?
KN: The biggest thing is winning. It’s been five years since we last won a match; it’s a relief for everyone. I think it will give me confidence for the future. Then, defensively, we must remain strong. We didn’t concede too many chances. We must take advantage of this victory and quickly refocus because a match awaits us on Tuesday.
Africa cup of Nations
Chad move on in AFCON 2025 qualifier
Join Liberia, Eswatini in TotalEnergies driving seat
Following Liberia and Eswatini’s emphatic first-leg wins in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 qualifiers on Wednesday, 20 March, Chad joined the two nations in the driving seat following their slender 1-0 win over Mauritius on Friday.
Liberia edged Djibouti 2-0 at home, while Eswatini were happy travelers when they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Liberia to mark the start of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 qualifiers.
The slim victory sees coach Kevin Nicaise’s charges take an important lead in the two-legged affair. The return leg in Mauritius will be even tougher against the islanders on Tuesday, 26 March.
Meanwhile, nothing could separate Sao Tome, Principe, and South Sudan when the two sides played out to a goalless draw in Berkane on the same evening.
The 0-0 draw will be highly welcomed by South Sudan, hoping to secure a victory at the expense of their opponents, who failed to take their chances in the first leg.
Eight (8) of the lowest-ranked nations, as per the FIFA Rankings, are competing in a home-and-away knockout format for the preliminary stage of the qualifiers. The four (4) remaining countries will be eligible to join the 44 nations that will be engaged in the group stages of the qualifiers.
TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 Preliminary Qualifiers Results:
First Leg Fixtures:
Wednesday, 20 March
Somalia 0 – 3 Eswatini
Djibouti 0 – 2 Liberia
Friday, 22 March
Chad 1 – 0 Mauritius
Sao Tome and Principe 0 – 0 South Sudan
Return Leg Fixtures:
Tuesday, 26 March
13:00 GMT | Eswatini – Somalia
16:00 GMT | Liberia – Djibouti
17:00 GMT | South Sudan – Sao Tome and Principe
15:00 GMT | Mauritius – Chad
Africa cup of Nations
WATCH LIVE: AFCON Morocco 2025 Preliminary Draw Today
