Mali and Equatorial Guinea face-off in the Round of 16 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

The match is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. GMT on Wednesday, 26 January 2022. The match venue is Stade Limbe, Limbe.

Latest betting odds

Mali to win odds are situated at 1.61 (-164 American; 25/41 Fractional), the odds for a draw are priced at 3.50 (+250; 5/2), while Equatorial Guinea to win odds are priced at 6.60 (+560; 28/5).

The chances of these outcomes are as follows: Mali — 59%, draw — 27%, Equatorial Guinea — 14%.

Latest betting odds on Mali vs Equatorial Guinea (26 January 2022):

• Over 2.5 goals — 2.80 (+180; 9/5)
• Under 2.5 goals — 1.47 (-212; 25/53)
• Asian handicap (-0.75) on Mali — 1.77 (-130; 10/13)
• Asian handicap (+0.75) on Equatorial Guinea — 2.00 (+100; evens)
• Both teams to score (Yes) — 2.75 (+175; 7/4)
• Both teams to score (No) — 1.43 (-230; 10/23)

Match preview and statistics

Mali came first in the Group F table with seven points and a +3 goal difference. They haven’t lost in nine consecutive games with seven wins and two draws. The Eagles had two wins and a draw from the group stage matches. Mali beat Mauritania 2-0 in their last match.

Massadio Haidara opened the scoring in the first minute with a left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner, assisted by Moussa Doumbia. Ibrahima Kone doubled the lead in the 48th minute of the second half from the penalty spot. Kone converted the penalty with a left footed shot to the top right corner.

Moussa Doumbia dropped a brilliant performance in the game. He completed the most dribbles (4), created the most chances (5), gave four key passes, won 11 duels, was fouled five times, had two tackles, one interception and provided an assist.

Team statistics: 66% possession, 18 total shots, 14 chances created, four big chances, five shots on target, 424 accurate passes, 88% pass accuracy, 22 fouls conceded, four corners, two offsides, two yellow cards.

Mali team news: no player is injured or suspended for this match.

Equatorial Guinea finished second in the Group E table with six points and a +1 goal difference. They have two wins and a loss from the group stage games. The National Thunder won 1-0 over Sierra Leone in their last match.

Pablo Ganet hit the match winner in the 38th minute with a right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner, assisted by Iban Salvador following a set piece situation. Kei Ansu Kamara failed to convert the penalty in the 84th minute of the second half as his right footed shot was saved in the bottom right corner.

Kwame Quee got a second yellow for a bad foul in the 89th minute and was sent off. Pablo Ganet had a good game. He created the most chances (5), completed the most passes (42), four accurate long balls and scored the game winner.

Top stats: 54% possession, 17 total shots, 15 chances created, two big chances, six shots on target, 235 accurate passes, 74% pass accuracy, 12 fouls conceded, five corners, three offsides, three yellow cards.

Equatorial Guinea team news: no player is injured or suspended for this match.

Mali vs Equatorial Guinea H2H

Mali have played Equatorial Guinea have gone head-to-head three times. The former won all three meetings. The Eagles won 1-0 over the National Thunder in the last meeting.

Key players and lineups

Mali projected starting lineup:

• Ibrahim Mounkoro
• Massadio Haidara
• Boubakar Kouyate
• Falaye Sacko
• Hamari Traore
• Amadou Haidara
• Yves Bissouma
• Adama Traore
• Moussa Doumbia
• Adama Traore
• Ibrahima Kone

Ibrahima Kone is the key player to watch out for. He has scored in all of the games they’ve played so far with three goals in three games in the tournament. Kone looks forward to scoring again in this match. Moussa Doumbia is another player to watch out for. He completed four dribbles, created five chances, gave four key passes, won 11 duels, was fouled five times, had two tackles, one interception and provided an assist in their last match against Mauritania.

Equatorial Guinea projected starting lineup:

• Jesus Owono
• Carlos Akapo
• Saul Coco
• Obono Esteban Obiang
• Basilio Nchama
• Pablo Ganet
• Iban Salvador
• Jose Machin
• Josete Miranda
• Frederic Bikoro
• Dorian Hanza

Pablo Ganet is the key player to watch out for. He scored the match winner in the last match against Sierra Leone to seal their second place and help them advance to the knockouts. His game by numbers, created the most chances (5), completed the most passes (42), four accurate long balls and five key passes.

Iban Salvador is a player to watch out for. He provided the assist to the winning goal, had two tackles, won 11 duels, completed two dribbles and was fouled six times in the last match against Sierra Leone.

Betting tips and prediction

Mali are unbeaten in their last nine games with seven wins and a draw. In the 2021 AFCON, they have two wins and a draw from three games played. The Eagles have great momentum ahead of the Round of 16 fixture. Equatorial Guinea have only one loss in their last five games, with three wins and a draw. They have two wins and a loss from the group stage matches.

Mali have a perfect record against Equatorial Guinea with three wins in three head-to-head games. They won 1-0 in the last meeting. Predictions for this match are Mali to win, and over 1.5 goals. Both teams are in good form, but Mali edge out ahead of the clash.

Betting prediction: Mali to win

Odds: 1.61 (-164 American; 25/41 Fractional)

Betting prediction: Over 1.5 goals

Odds: 1.57 ( -175 American; 4/7 Fractional)