Mali and Chad raise the curtain on their respective CAF World Cup qualifying campaigns with a meeting at Stade du 26 Mars on Friday evening.
The sides are on a contrasting run of results heading into this one, but the game promises to be a keenly-contested affair nonetheless.
Match preview
Mali cruised to a routine 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia in the sides' friendly encounter at Estadio Municipal de Portimao on October 17.
Eric Chelle's men took a commanding lead at half time thanks to strikes from Moussa Doumbia and Hamari Traore, after which Lassine Sinayoko sealed the deal, rendering Salem Al Dawsari's strike inconsequential.
As a result, the Eagles have now won four of their last five outings across all competitions, with a 0-0 draw against Ivory Coast the only exception.
Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have been beaten in each of the four previous meetings between the teams.
Having not lost a home game since March 2022, Friday's hosts have turned their home ground into a real fortress and are huge favourites to emerge triumphant here.
In the first of two consecutive matches against the Secretary Birds of Sudan, Chad were narrowly beaten 1-0 at the King Fahd Stadium on October 17.
Djimtan Yatamadji's men fell behind to Mazin Fadl's opener right on the hour mark, which turned out to be the all-important moment in a drab affair.
Les Sao are currently on a three-game losing streak and have only managed to find the back of the net on only one occasion in that time.
Aiming to pick up what would be only a first away win since 2015, Friday's visitors have it all to do as they look to avoid another fruitless outing on the road.
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Team News
Having found the back of the net in both of his last two outings for Mali, forward Lassine Sinayoko will be looking to deliver the goods once again.
Despite only just making his debut for the hosts during the last international break, Sikou Niakate is expected to retain his place in the starting XI.
Currently leading the way in both goals and appearances for Chad, Ezechiel N'Douassel has established himself as a central figure and is one to keep an eye on.
In the absence of Eric Mbangossoum, 34-year-old David Ramadingaye has the opportunity to stake his claim for a place in the middle of the park.
Mali possible starting lineup:
Diawara; Diarra, Niakate, Fofana, Traore; Doumbia, Samassekou, Bissouma, Diabate; Sinayoko, Doumbia
Chad possible starting lineup:
Allambatnan; Issa, Assane, Youssouf, Abdallah; Ninga, Ramadingaye, Djinrine; Mahamat, Tchaouna, N'Douassel
We say: Mali 3-1 Chad
Mali have been imperious on home turf over the last couple of matches, and they will be heavily fancied to come out on top here. We can see them coming away with maximum points from what should be a largely one-sided affair.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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