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Mali vs Cape Verde Women Preview & Betting Tips - Back Both Teams to Score in WAFCON Clash

tolu-shotade
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Last updated: Fri 31 Jul 2026 14:15
Mali and Cape Verde face off in Group D of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, both eager to bounce back after defeats in their respective opening fixtures. Recent form shows defensive struggles: Mali have conceded in eight of their last ten, while Cape Verde have leaked goals in nine. Each side has registered a win in their previous two meetings, and both have the attacking potential to score. Expect an open, competitive match, with both teams likely to find the net.
Tolu Shotade 3 hours ago
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  • Both Mali and Cape Verde lost their WAFCON openers and have shaky defenses.
  • Each team won once in their previous two meetings, both scoring freely.
  • An open match is expected, with both teams likely to score in this crucial Group D clash.
Mali Women
Mali Women (Getty Images)

Mali vs Cape Verde Women WAFCON Preview


Mali and Cape Verde are aiming to bounce back from defeats when they meet in their second Group D clash at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. 

Both teams will be keen to jumpstart their campaign, and with neither defence looking convincing at the moment, an open contest could be on the cards.

Key Stats


  • Mali have conceded in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
  • Mali have scored in six of their last eight matches in all competitions.
  • Both teams were on target in their last meeting during the qualifiers.
  • Cape Verde have conceded in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.

One Win Each


There have been only two previous matches between both teams as they met during the qualifiers for the tournament. Mali claimed a 1-0 victory in the first leg while Cape Verde triumphed 4-2 in the second fixture.

Mali Below Their Best Lately


Mali come into the clash off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Cameroon in their opening fixture. They fought back from an early setback to level before the break through Aissata Traore but went on to concede the winner in the second half. 

While there were a few positives with the performance, the result maintains a recent poor run for Mali. Birama Konate’s team have failed to win nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
 
One of the major issues for Mali appears to be a shaky backline that has conceded in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, they have scored in six of the last eight fixtures in this run.

Opening Jitters for the Debutants

 
Cape Verde fell to a 2-0 defeat to Ghana in their first-ever WAFCON fixture. They struggled to cope with the superior quality of the West Africans and could only manage a single attempt on target. 

Like the Malians, Cape Verde's overall form heading into the WAFCON has been quite unconvincing. Silveria Nedo’s team have failed to win eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions.

One positive for Cape Verde is that one of their wins in this run came against Mali during the qualifiers, where they claimed a 4-2 victory. Scoring four goals in that clash will also give them some confidence to be a bit adventurous on Sunday. 

Team News and Predicted Line-ups

 
Mali (4-4-1-1): Fatoumata Karentao; Orokia Sissoko, Teninsoun Sissoko, Coulouba Sogore, Aliya Diagne; Salimata Diarra, Yakare Niakate, Coumba Dembele, Fatoumata Niakate; Saratou Traore; Aissata Traore.

Mali came away from their opening fixture with no injuries or suspensions and should keep faith with the team. Traore should start in attack after netting her team’s only goal, while Sissoko and Sogore are expected to feature at the back.

Cape Verde (4-3-3): Jacinta Rodrigues; Leonilde Rodrigues, Leidina Semedo, Alivia Kelly, Eleia Vieira; Natasha Whanon, Larissa Melo, Maisa Cardoso; Sandra Soares-Martins, Luriane Tavares, Ivania Moreira.

Soares-Martins was a halftime substitute for Cape Verde in the opening fixture and could play from the start on Sunday. Semedo is expected to feature at the back while Moreira should continue in attack. 

Verdict

Cape Verde’s opening WAFCON fixture may have ended in defeat, but the debutants will draw confidence from their victory over Mali during the qualifiers. 

Both teams have looked quite vulnerable at the back lately and are expected to find the net in this one.

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tolu-shotade
Tolu Shotade

Football Writer • 10+ Years as a Betting Analyst, TV & Radio Lead Presenter

Worked as a sports anchor on radio between 2007 and 2012 before switching to television. Tolu was the lead presenter for the Italian Serie A, English Premier League and German Bundesliga on satellite television in Africa and joined SuperSport in 2017. He began writing for freetips.com in 2018 and has a deep knowledge of the African leagues as well as Europe's top 5 leagues including the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. Favourite Sports: Football addict with interests in boxing and tennis.

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