Welcome to our exclusive live coverage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, an edition being played in 2026. The tournament has entered its decisive knockout phase, and tonight's focus is a tantalising last-16 clash between Mali and Tunisia at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
Tournament Paths Set the Scene
Both nations arrive at this stage having navigated the group phase without setting the competition alight. Mali finished second in their group after drawing all three of their matches, showcasing resilience but perhaps a lack of cutting edge. Tunisia also secured a runners-up spot, with their campaign highlighted by a 3-1 victory over Uganda in their opening fixture. Their only defeat came in a 3-2 thriller against one of the tournament favourites, Nigeria.
Statistically, it's a meeting of two hard-to-beat sides. Across their combined six group games, they have managed just a single victory – that Tunisia win over Uganda – but have only tasted defeat once between them. This pedigree suggests a close, potentially cagey encounter is on the cards in Morocco.
What to Expect in Casablanca
The match is scheduled for a 7pm GMT (8pm local time) kick-off. The setting, the iconic Mohammed V Stadium, is poised for a night of high-stakes African football. Given the propensity for draws in Mali's games and the narrow margins in Tunisia's results, a tight, tactical battle is widely anticipated.
However, as any fan of the Africa Cup of Nations will attest, predictability is never guaranteed. The knockout rounds bring a unique pressure, where a moment of individual brilliance or a single error can define a nation's journey. Will Mali find a winning goal to break their run of draws? Can Tunisia harness the experience from their previous campaigns to advance?
Knockout Football Under the Lights
This evening's contest marks the second last-16 tie of the day, following Senegal's earlier encounter with Sudan. The winner of this match will book a quarter-final place, moving one step closer to continental glory. With so much at stake, both managers will be demanding focus and discipline from their players from the first whistle.
We are building towards all the action from Casablanca. Stay with us for live updates, key moments, and analysis as Mali and Tunisia battle for a place in the AFCON 2025 quarter-finals.
