Mali vs Rwanda prediction: team news, lineups, expert analysis
AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations
On November 13, 2026, Mali and Rwanda will meet in the third round of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. Top spot in the group is up for grabs.
Mali vs Rwanda: team news and expert analysis
Mali reached the quarter-finals at last winter’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Senegal. They have also made a strong start to the new qualifying campaign this autumn. First, they beat World Cup participants Cape Verde 3-1 at home, then scored the only goal in Liberia. Even their draw with Morocco, albeit in a friendly, is a positive result.
Rwanda are rated lower, having finished second-bottom in World Cup qualifying with eleven points from ten matches. But they have been doing well in 2026: in March, they beat Grenada and Estonia in the FIFA Series, then picked up six points at the start of qualifying in September. Their only match last month was a goalless draw with Kenya in a friendly.
Doumbia and his teammates have been short on goals, averaging 0.8 scored and 0.8 conceded per game. Their opponents have scored 1.2 goals per game while conceding slightly fewer, at 0.9.
Previous meetings: Mali vs Rwanda
Mali have won three of their four meetings, with the other ending in a draw.
They are the stronger side now, too. We’re backing them to win at home again with a -1.5 goal handicap (odds: 1.9).
Mali vs Rwanda: key stats and trends
- Mali have won two of their last three matches
- Both teams have scored in 50% of Mali’s matches, with an average of 1.6 goals per game
- Rwanda have won four of their last five matches
- Both teams have scored in 20% of Rwanda’s matches, with an average of 2.1 goals per game
Mali vs Rwanda: possible starting line-ups
Mali are expected to line up in a 1-4-3-3 formation: Samassa — Guindo, Gassama, Keita, Kamara — Coulibaly, Haidara, Sangaré — Dorgel, Doumbia, Tia
Rwanda are expected to line up in a 1-4-3-3 formation: Hakizimana — Uvumukiza, Nkulikiyimana, Niyigena, Imanishimwe — Muhire, Guelette, Kwizera — Iradukunda, Biramashire, Nshuti
Place your bet on the upcoming match and follow the teams’ progress in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying table
