Match: Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
Fixture: Mali vs Zambia
Local Kick-off Time: December 22nd, 15:00
Click here to watch the match LIVE now! 🔴 ▶
Click here to watch the match LIVE now! 🔴 ▶
Open Odds
| Full-Time Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1.70 |
| X | 3.30 |
| 2 | 6.25 |
Summary: Mali Victory
Both teams are traditional mid-table AFCON contenders, but Mali's recent form is significantly more stable while Zambia's performances at both ends have been inconsistent. Mali should gradually take control through midfield dominance. The Asian Handicap's Mali -0.75 line reflects confidence in Mali's victory on neutral ground given the teams' contrasting recent form. Mali is favored to secure a strong start to their tournament.
Comprehensive Prediction Analysis:
Mali
From a data perspective, Mali demonstrates stable competitive form with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in their last 5 matches. Their balanced performance at both ends of the pitch is notable, with a defensive line that concedes only 0.4 goals per game - ranking among the most stable in African football. Midfielder Lassana Coulibaly's interception ability (4 tackles per game on average) effectively disrupts opponent passing lanes.
Offensively, Mali relies on striker Traoré's speed (3 successful dribbles per game) and clinical finishing (4 goals in last 10 matches). Their attacking output has been solid with 12 goals scored in 10 matches. In historical encounters with Zambia, Mali holds a 30% win rate, including a 1-0 victory in a 2022 international friendly, giving them a psychological advantage.
| Competition | Date | Home Team | Score (Half-Time) | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Friendly | 25-11-19 | Jordan | 0-0 (0-0) | Mali |
| CAF Qualifiers | 25-10-13 | Mali | 4-1 (2-0) | Madagascar |
| CAF Qualifiers | 25-10-09 | Chad | 0-2 (0-1) | Mali |
| CAF Qualifiers | 25-09-09 | Ghana | 1-0 (0-0) | Mali |
| CAF Qualifiers | 25-09-05 | Mali | 3-0 (1-0) | Comoros |
| International Friendly | 25-06-06 | DR Congo | 1-0 (1-0) | Mali |
| CAF Qualifiers | 25-03-25 | Mali | 0-0 (0-0) | Central African Republic |
| CAF Qualifiers | 25-03-21 | Comoros | 0-3 (0-1) | Mali |
| AFCON Qualifiers | 24-12-30 | Mali | 0-0 (0-0) | Mauritania |
| AFCON Qualifiers | 24-12-23 | Mauritania | 1-0 (0-0) | Mali |
Zambia
Zambia's competitive form has been consistently poor, managing only 1 win and 4 losses in their last 5 matches. Their defensive frailties are evident, conceding 1.0 goal per game on average. Their central defensive pairing has a clearance success rate of just 65%, making them vulnerable to Mali's wing attacks.
Offensively, Zambia relies heavily on striker Musonda's individual brilliance (2.8 successful dribbles per game) to create threats, but their attacking output has been meager with only 6 goals in 10 matches - placing them among the least efficient attacking teams in Africa. Their away performance is particularly concerning, with a counter-attack success rate of just 8% against compact defenses.
| Competition | Date | Home Team | Score (Half-Time) | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Friendly | 25-12-16 | DR Congo | 2-0 (1-0) | Zambia |
| International Friendly | 25-11-19 | Angola | 3-2 (2-1) | Zambia |
| International Friendly | 25-11-15 | South Africa | 3-1 (1-0) | Zambia |
| CAF Qualifiers | 25-10-12 | Zambia | 0-1 (0-0) | Niger |
| CAF Qualifiers | 25-10-09 | Tanzania | 0-1 (0-0) | Zambia |
| CAF Qualifiers | 25-09-08 | Zambia | 0-2 (0-1) | Morocco |
| AFCON Qualifiers | 25-08-17 | Zambia | 0-1 (0-0) | Kenya |
| AFCON Qualifiers | 25-08-14 | Morocco | 3-1 (1-1) | Zambia |
| AFCON Qualifiers | 25-08-10 | Zambia | 1-2 (0-0) | Angola |
| AFCON Qualifiers | 25-08-07 | DR Congo | 2-0 (0-0) | Zambia |
Handicap Prediction:
Mali -0.75 (Asian Handicap)
Mali Win (European Handicap)
Predicted Scores: 2-0, 2-1, 3-0
Predicted Total Goals: 2, 3, 4
This content provides sports news and pre-match analysis for fan discussion only. Sports events involve uncertainties; actual results shall prevail.
