Arjun Menon
Mali and Senegal meet in a heavyweight AFCON 2025 quarter-final with a semi-final place on the line. Senegal arrive as defending champions and tournament favourites, backed by a long unbeaten AFCON run and a dominant head-to-head record. Mali bring a stubborn, survivalist edge after their dramatic round-of-16 escape, making this West African derby one of the knockout stage’s most compelling tests.
Match Preview
This quarter-final pits Senegal’s proven big-game pedigree against Mali’s resilience and organisation. Senegal have looked like title contenders throughout the tournament, scoring in every match so far and conceding only once in the group stage. They also carry a 15-match unbeaten streak at AFCON, their longest ever, and they have not lost to Mali in the last 13 meetings.
Mali’s route has been the opposite: three group-stage draws and no wins in regulation time across their AFCON run, yet they keep finding ways to stay alive. Their round-of-16 win over Tunisia came after playing with 10 men from the 26th minute, forcing a late equaliser and then winning on penalties. Lassine Sinayoko has been Mali’s key attacking outlet, while goalkeeper Djigui Diarra proved decisive in the shootout.
Senegal get a major boost with captain Kalidou Koulibaly returning from suspension, while Sadio Mané has been cleared after a head injury and remains central to Senegal’s creativity. It’s only the second time these sides have met at AFCON finals (the first was a 1-1 draw in 2004), so the stakes and novelty are real despite decades of rivalry.
Where to watch on TV & Live Stream
Kick-off is at 17:00 CET on Friday, January 9, 2026 at the Grand Stade de Tanger in Tangier, Morocco. In the UK, Channel 4 is a confirmed AFCON 2025 broadcaster. In the USA, beIN SPORTS USA will show AFCON coverage, with streaming via beIN’s platforms. Across Africa, SuperSport carries AFCON matches in many territories.
| Region/Country | Kick-off Time (Local) |
| UK | 16:00 (GMT) |
| USA (ET) | 11:00 |
| USA (PT) | 08:00 |
| Australia (Sydney) | 03:00 (Sat) |
| Japan | 01:00 (Sat) |
| India | 21:30 |
How to watch Mali vs Senegal online
Streaming options depend on your region’s rights holder. In the USA, you can stream the match on beIN SPORTS CONNECT (via the beIN SPORTS ecosystem) with an active subscription; pricing is typically in the $10–$15 per month range depending on package and provider. In the UK, look for live coverage on Channel 4’s streaming service where available. In Africa, SuperSport subscribers can usually watch through SuperSport’s TV channels and official digital platforms in supported countries. Geo-restrictions apply to official streams, so access can be blocked when you’re outside the licensed territory.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster/Platform |
|---|---|
| Mali | ORTM Mali, DStv Now, SuperSport |
| Senegal | RTS 1, DStv Now, SuperSport, AfroSport TV |
| United Kingdom, Ireland | Channel 4 |
| France | beIN Sports France |
| United States, Canada, Australia, MENA | beIN Sports |
| Germany | Sportdigital |
| Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden | Viaplay |
| Spain | Movistar |
| Portugal | Sport TV |
| Poland, Ukraine, Kazakhstan | Megogo |
| China | ZhiBo8 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport |
| South Africa | SABC Sport |
Spotlight Countries
- United Kingdom: Channel 4 is a confirmed AFCON 2025 broadcaster for UK viewers. Check Channel 4’s TV schedule and its official streaming service for the Mali vs Senegal listing.
- United States: beIN SPORTS USA holds AFCON coverage and will be the main TV destination. Stream the match through beIN SPORTS CONNECT with an active subscription.
- Canada: AFCON coverage is handled via beIN SPORTS in Canada under similar North American frameworks. Confirm the match listing through your beIN provider or package.
- Australia: beIN Sports as the option for AFCON coverage in Australia. Verify the fixture is included in Optus Sport’s live schedule for the tournament.
- China: ZhiBo8 is listed as the destination for AFCON broadcasts in China. Kick-off lands after midnight locally, so check for live or delayed coverage depending on scheduling.
How to watch anywhere with VPN
Official streams are geo-blocked, so travelling fans can lose access even with a valid subscription. A VPN can help by letting you connect to a server in your home country, so the streaming platform recognises you inside the licensed region.
How it works: 1) Choose a reputable VPN. 2) Connect to a server in the country where your broadcaster works (for example, the UK for Channel 4). 3) Open the broadcaster’s app or website and sign in as normal. Most major VPNs support iOS, Android, desktop, and many Smart TV setups, depending on the provider.
How to watch at Sportsbooks
Some licensed sportsbooks offer live streams for football if you have a funded account and the match is available in your region. Bet365, Unibet, and William Hill as bookmakers that often stream major competitions, but it does not confirm this specific AFCON quarter-final.
- Register for an account (where legal).
- Make a deposit or keep a funded balance.
- Find the match in the live section and look for the stream/play icon.
Availability varies by country and rights restrictions, so check the match page on your sportsbook before kick-off.
Senegal’s title defence meets Mali’s refusal to go away in a high-stakes quarter-final at the Grand Stade de Tanger. Kick-off is 17:00 CET. Check your local listings early so you don’t miss a minute of this West African showdown.