Midfielder Lassana Coulibaly says Mali need to show the same determination that they used to overcome Tunisia in order to beat Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

Mali needed penalties to make it through to the final eight after a 1-1 draw with Tunisia, which was full of drama following Woyo Coulibaly's 26th-minute red card.

Firas Chaouat looked to have scored the winner for Tunisia in the 88th minute before Lassine Sinayoko's 96th-minute penalty forced extra time, with Mali then holding out to win 3-2 on penalties.

It was Mali's fourth consecutive draw at the tournament, but Lassana Coulibaly is not concerned about their lack of a victory inside 90 minutes, as he believes their mental strength is enough to keep pushing them through.

"Against Tunisia, we needed to show strong mentality as it was 10 against 11," he said.

"We ⁠will need the same mentality against Senegal. We want to progress, and ‌we feel we have nothing to lose.

"We are not the favourites, ​but with our mental and physical strength, we feel we can win."

Head coach Tom Saintfiet agreed that Senegal would prove the biggest test to date for Mali, adding: "The eight teams who have qualified for the quarters ‌are all the big footballing countries in Africa, but I think we are playing the best.

"The only team they've lost to over the last few years was Brazil. They even beat England. It's a stable team but also very strong, who score easily, who don't give up much and are very dangerous."

Senegal, meanwhile, have only failed to win once so far at the tournament and cruised into the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Sudan last time out.

They are the second favourites to win AFCON, according to the Opta supercomputer, with a 17% chance of lifting the trophy, behind Morocco's 23%. Mali are given just a 5% chance of success.

In seven of their last 11 games at AFCON, Senegal have scored more than two goals. They could do so in three successive matches at the tournament for the first time.

And head coach Pape Thiaw highlighted how important it is to get a victory over Mali, given the rivalry between the two nations.

"These are two brother countries," he said. "Personally, I am half Senegalese and half Malian!

"A derby is meant to be won. It's up to us to put all the ingredients in place to go get qualification and go all the way."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mali – Lassine Sinayoko

Sinayoko has scored all three of Mali's goals at this edition of AFCON, and six of their last eight goals at the tournament overall.

Indeed, only Seydou Keita (eight) and Frederic Kanoute (seven) have scored more goals for them in the competition's history.

Senegal – Sadio Mane

Mane has either scored (four goals) or assisted (eight times) in 10 of his last 12 games at AFCON. 

Indeed, he has the most goal involvements in the competition since making his debut at the 2015 edition (19 – 10 goals, nine assists).

Mane has also forced more high turnovers (10) than any other player at AFCON 2025, three of which have resulted in a shot, the joint-most along with Morocco's Abde Ezzalzouli.

MATCH PREDICTION – SENEGAL WIN

This will be just the second ever meeting between Mali and Senegal at AFCON, with the only previous encounter coming in the 2004 group stages (1-1 draw).

Senegal are looking to reach their sixth semi-final at AFCON. They have progressed from their last two quarter-final matches in the competition (2019 and 2021), as many successes as they managed from their first seven quarter-final appearances combined (two).

Since the start of the 2021 edition of AFCON, Mali have lost just one match in 90 minutes (W4 D8).

Only upcoming opponents Senegal (W10 D5 L0) have lost fewer games at the tournament in that time.

However, Mali have so far failed to win a game at this competition (D4). They are looking to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2013, and their last quarter-final appearance saw them knocked out by eventual winners Ivory Coast in 2023.

Senegal have conceded just six goals in their last 12 knockout-stage matches at AFCON, keeping a clean sheet in half of those games (6/12). Their solid backline should help them get over the line. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Mali – 25.7%

Draw – 23.7%

Senegal – 50.7%