Mali will be without Yves Bissouma for their opening Africa Cup of Nations game on Monday, but coach Tom Saintfiet is confident the midfielder will make a positive contribution at the tournament in Morocco.

Bissouma is one of three players unavailable for the Group A match against Zambia in Casablanca along with central defender Sikou Niakate and right back Hamari Traore.

Bissouma, 29, has yet to feature for his club Tottenham Hotspur since being dropped before the Super Cup clash with Paris St Germain in August, and underwent ankle surgery after suffering an injury playing in a World Cup qualifier.

His 72 minutes against Madagascar in October was the only action he has seen this season.

Saintfiet said on Sunday that Bissouma was training and could be considered for their second group game against hosts Morocco in Rabat on Friday.

“In many major tournaments, some players start with injuries and then become most dangerous in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, or final,” the Mali coach said.

“Yves is my captain, he’s important, he’s the leader of our team and we have assurances that Yves will be ready during the tournament.

“When the matches get tougher, we’ll be glad to have him with us. We need a captain who’s present both mentally and physically,” Saintfiet added.

-Reuters

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Mali and Zambia will launch their Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 campaigns on Monday, December 22, when they clash at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, with both sides targeting a strong start in the group stage.

Mali, chasing a first AFCON title after finishing runners-up in 1972 and recording several semi-final appearances, arrive with a balanced and ambitious squad.

Coached by Tom Saintfiet, the Eagles are expected to rely on midfield control, tactical discipline and collective organisation to secure the opening three points.

“Our first task will be against Zambia, which is considered one of the best teams in Africa,” Saintfiet said. “What matters to us are the three points. We must respect all our opponents and stay focused throughout the match.”

Midfielder Aliou Dieng echoed that sentiment, stressing the need for performance rather than talk. “The match against Zambia will not be easy. We will show it on the pitch,” he said.

Zambia, champions in 2012, are also aiming to shape their tournament early. Under coach Musa Sichone, the Chipolopolo are expected to lean on pace, physicality and quick transitions, seeking to exploit spaces against Mali’s structured approach.

“We are aiming for a good start in the tournament,” Sichone said. “All players are well-prepared, fit and ready. Participating in this tournament is about achieving results.”

Captain Fashion Sakala added that experience and preparation would be key as Zambia look to go deep in the competition.

The match will be only the second AFCON meeting between the two sides, following Zambia’s 4-0 victory over Mali in the 1994 semi-finals. With fine margins likely to decide the outcome, Monday’s encounter promises a tense and compelling start for both teams

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By Kunle Solaja.

Seven-time African champions Egypt will be aiming for a positive start to their Africa Cup of Nations campaign on Monday when they face Zimbabwe in their Group B opener, as the Pharaohs begin the quest for a record-extending eighth continental title.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has underlined the importance of the opening fixture, describing it as crucial to setting the tone for the rest of the tournament.

“The opening match is always important in the Africa Cup of Nations,” Hassan said at a pre-match news conference on Sunday. “It gives confidence and strong motivation for the remainder of the group stage and the tournament as a whole.”

The Pharaohs are drawn in Group B alongside Zimbabwe, Angola and South Africa, in what promises to be a competitive section.

Despite their storied history, Egypt have not lifted the AFCON trophy since 2010. They endured a difficult spell thereafter, missing three consecutive tournaments between 2012 and 2015, before returning to lose the 2017 final to Cameroon.

Egypt reached the final again in 2021, only to suffer heartbreak in a penalty shootout defeat to Senegal, while their most recent appearance ended in disappointment with a round-of-16 exit in 2023.

Hassan insists this campaign will be different.

“We will do everything possible to win the title this year,” the 59-year-old, a three-time AFCON winner as a player, told the Confederation of African Football (CAF) website. “Achieving that requires tremendous effort from every member of the team.

“Egypt is always among the favourites in any competition because of its rich history, particularly in the Africa Cup of Nations, where we hold the record with seven titles.”

Despite qualifying unbeaten for both the AFCON and the World Cup, concerns remain over Egypt’s recent form, particularly in defence. Those weaknesses were exposed in a 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan at an international tournament in the United Arab Emirates in November, although signs of improvement were evident in a 2-1 friendly win over Nigeria in their final warm-up match.

Egypt’s attacking options, however, remain among the strongest on the continent. Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, Manchester City winger Omar Marmoush and Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed form a formidable frontline, supported by a solid midfield including Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan, Marwan Attia and Emam Ashour, whose starting role remains uncertain following a long injury layoff.

“We have a wonderful generation with high-level ability and great potential, capable of competing for the title,” Hassan added.

Zimbabwe coach Marian Marinica acknowledged the scale of the task facing his side, especially with several players struggling with injuries, but insisted the Warriors would not be intimidated by Egypt’s reputation or star power.

“It will be a tough game because we are facing a big team,” Marinica said. “The situation is very difficult. We are missing seven players due to injury, and we are not sure all of them will be ready for tomorrow’s game.

“Salah and Marmoush are big names, but we are not worried. If we were, it would be better to stay at home. We are not thinking about individuals, but about the opponent as a team.

“We only want to apply what we worked on in training, and we hope to achieve the best possible result.”

As Egypt chases history and Zimbabwe seeks an upset, Monday’s Group B opener could prove decisive in shaping the early momentum of the AFCON campaign.

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