Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
A spot at the 2022 World Cup finals will be at stake when Mali and Tunisia face each other in a highly-anticipated double-header. Mali did well to beat Tunisia thanks to Ibrahima Kone’s goal at the 2022 AFCON, meaning that the visitors are hungry for revenge. Mohamed Magassouba’s troops are likely to rely on their rock-solid defence in the first leg, meaning that yet another low-scoring affair is on the cards.
The Eagles of Carthage, on the other hand, were beaten by Burkina Faso in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals. Considering that Tunisia look solid at the back as well, we are tempted to put our money on under 2.5 goals. As always, a man to keep an eye on in the away side will be St Etienne forward Wahbi Khazri who has 69 caps for the national team.
Highlighted Player (Moussa Doumbia):
A Malian midfielder Moussa Doumbia has been with Russian side FK Rostov since 2014. The 22-year-old powerful midfielder started his career with Real Bamako in 2012. Doumbia spent two years playing for the Scorpions in the Malien Premiere Division, the top rank in the country. Russian side recognised his talent and made a transfer in 2014 tying Moussa Doumbia on a four-year deal.
During two seasons with Russian Premier League outfit, Doumbia was involved in 31 league matches. In 2015-16 season he contributed to his club’s runners-up finish with two goals of his own. Full-time Mali international made his national team debut in 2014 in a 3-1 victory over China in Shenzen.
His most recent international appearances occurred in September during an empathic 5-2 win over Benin in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. Doumbia went on to score his team’s fifth goal with eleven minutes on the clock rounding off an impressive performance.
Highlighted Team (Tunisia):
Tunisia are considered one of the most successful African teams. Les Aigles de Carthage (Eagles of Carthage) made their 18th appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, with the team suffering elimination in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
In 2004 Tunisia won their first and only African Cup of Nations trophy as they defeated Morocco in the title game. Jaziri and Santos scored for the Eagles of Carthage in the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations final, with Mokhtari scoring a consolation goal for Morocco. Tunisia played in the final of the tournament in 1965 and 1996 as well, but they eventually finished as runners-up.
Speaking of their appearances at the FIFA World Cup finals, the Tunisia National football team participated at the major tournament on four occasions (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006), but they failed to make it to the knockout stages of the tournament. The colour of Tunisia’s home kit is white, while they play their away matches in red shirts and red short s. Radhi Jaidi is the player with most caps for Tunisia (105).