How and Where to Watch: Mali vs. Zambia on beIN SPORTS

Mali arrive as a familiar AFCON contender, but doubts surrounding a key figure cast a shadow over their opening test against Zambia.

Mali’s AFCON Pedigree Faces an Early Test

Mali are traditionally one of the most reliable performers at the Africa Cup of Nations, a team regularly expected to reach the knockout stages. At AFCON 2023, they pushed eventual champions and hosts Ivory Coast all the way to extra time in the quarterfinals before finally bowing out.

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That history sets expectations once again heading into AFCON 2025, but this time Mali’s opener comes with an unusual cloud hanging over the squad.

CAF Africa Cup of Nations

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Bissouma, The Great Unknown

Mali head into their opening match against Zambia, live on beIN SPORTS, carrying a major unanswered question: the condition of their captain and talisman, Yves Bissouma.

The Tottenham midfielder has endured a difficult 2025 at club level. A combination of injuries and off-the-field issues — including an alleged incident involving the inhalation of nitrous oxide gas — has meant Bissouma has not played a single competitive match for Spurs since May. Both his physical sharpness and mental readiness remain uncertain.

Soccer Football - Europa League - Final - Tottenham Hotspur Training - San Mames, Bilbao, Spain - May 20, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's Yves Bissouma during training REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

A Concern For Mali’s Coaching Staff

This lack of match rhythm is far from ideal preparation for a tournament as demanding as AFCON, especially with Morocco, the hosts, also lurking in the group. The situation has clearly unsettled Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet.

Speaking to ESPN, Saintfiet admitted the concern while expressing hope: “We hope that he’ll be on the pitch during the AFCON to help our team.” Whether that happens — and in what condition — could significantly shape Mali’s tournament.

Zambia Look To Capitalize

Monday’s opponents, Zambia, arrive with their own motivations. They failed to win a single match at AFCON 2023 and could again find victories hard to come by in a challenging group that also features Morocco and the surprise package, Comoros.

Still, with Mali facing uncertainty around their leader, Zambia may sense an opportunity to strike early and change the narrative of their AFCON campaign.