CASABLANCA, Morocco — Mali dey ready to close the gap on Group I leaders as dem gathara put for second straight win against Central African Republic (CAR) today at Stade El Arbi Zaouli. Kick-off na 4 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT), and fans fit watch am live for ORTM and ESPN.
Mali dey find chance to build on dem 3-0 win wey dem get against Comoros last week, as dem face CAR wey dey four points behind dem, plus dem get one of di worst defense for di table with 13 goals conceded. Di Eagles don gather eight points from five matches, and dem dey just two points behind Madagascar and four points off di table leader, Ghana. If dem fit win today, e go help dem close in on both teams and keep di race hot for straight qualification to di 2026 World Cup.
On di other hand, Central African Republic don arrive Morocco after dem just go cluster for one brutal 4-1 loss to Madagascar last Wednesday, and dem no fit win any of dia last five games. Di Wild Cats don only earn four points from five matches and dey just one position above Chad wey dey last for di table. Despite getting plenty talented players like Yves Bissouma, El Bilal Toure, and Nene Dorgeles, Mali still dey struggle to show di power wey dem fit for di qualifiers, and dem need to step up dia game for dem to show consistency. Di win over Comoros don give dem some confidence, and dem dey expected to defeat the disjointed CAR.
Predicted Line-ups: for CAR, na Youfeigane; Oualengbe, Yambéré, Gambor, Benamna; Koyalipou, Guinari, Kondogbia, Urie; Epandi, Mafouta. For Mali, di line-up go be Diarra; Diakite, Diaby, Niakaté, Diarra; Camara, Dieng; Bissouma, Doumbia, Dorgeles; Touré.
Predicted Score: This match be make-or-break for di Central African Republic, but considering di form difference, Mali dey strong favorites to extend dia winning streak and close di gap on di front-runners. We dey predict Central African Republic 0-2 Mali.
