Mali and Congo lock horns at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship on Saturday evening.
The Eagles finished second in 2016 after falling to Congo DR in the final, while Congo, who are making their third appearance at the tournament, have never made it past the quarter-finals.
Match preview
After picking up one point from their first two games in Cameroon, Congo sealed their place in the knockout stages with a shock 1-0 victory over Libya to finish second in Group B.
Gautrand Ngouonimba's 50th-minute strike was all that separated both sides as the Red Devils battled for a 1-0 victory over the 2014 CHAN winners.
Their opponents Mali have proven to be genuine title contenders after an impressive run in the group stages, where they picked up seven points from a possible nine.
The Eagles opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso, and followed it with a 1-1 draw with Cameroon, before sealing a first-placed finish in Group B with a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe.
Nouhoum Diane's men are coming into this fixture in superb form, as they are unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions, scoring 15 goals and keeping six clean sheets.
The last two meetings between Mali and Congo came at the World Cup qualifiers in 2008, where the Eagles won one and lost one against the Red Devils.
Mali were beaten finalists in 2016 when they fell to a 3-0 defeat in the final at the hands of Congo DR, but Diane is on a mission to go one step further and lift the prestigious trophy this year.
Barthelemy Ngatsono, on the other hand, will be hoping that the third time is the charm for his Congo side, who aim to progress to the semi-finals for the first time in the competition's history.
Mali African Nations Championship form: WDW
Mali form (all competitions): WWWWDW
Congo African Nations Championship form: LDW
Congo form (all competitions): DDWLDW
Team News
Nouhoum Diane has a full squad to select from on Saturday, as the Mali squad have a clean bill of health and no suspended players.
The defensive pairing of Mamadou Doumbia and Yacouba Doumbia have been impressive so far, helping the Eagles grab two clean sheets in three group games.
An unchanged starting lineup from the victory over Zimbabwe is expected on Saturday, meaning Stade Malien forward Moussa Kone and goalscorer Demba Diallo will once again lead the attack.
On the other hand, Congo will be without Sagesse Babele, who joins AS Otoho defender Dimitri Bissiki on the sidelines through injury.
Bersyl Obassi was dropped in the win over Libya, but the former Stade Tunisien striker could return to the fold on Saturday.
Mali possible starting lineup:
Diarra; Samake, Y Doumbia, M Doumbia, Bagayoko; Diallo, Kyabou, Kanoute, Sidibe; Ballo, Kone
Congo possible starting lineup:
Ndzila; Rozan, Ondongo, Rozan, Mouandza, Massanga, Ossete; Ngouonimba, Binguila, Obongo; Obassi
We say: Mali 2-0 Congo
Mali have one of the strongest squads at the tournament, and their performance in the group stages has stamped their name as one of the favourites to go on to lift the trophy. The Eagles should grab the win on Sunday evening when they take on a struggling Congo side.
Top betting tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
