Hosts Ivory Coast will clash with Mali in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations seeking a place in the last four of the tournament at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake on Saturday.

The Elephants made a quick turnaround in their campaign by knocking out defending champions, Senegal in the round of 16 on penalties. Despite knocking out the Lions of Teranga, they are winless in their last three games and yet to score from open play in the process.

Head-to-Head facts;

● This will be the sixth AFCON encounter between Mali and Ivory Coast and the first since meeting in the last 16 in 2019 (1-0 win for Côte d’Ivoire). The Elephants have never lost a AFCON match against the Eagles, winning four of their previous five games (D1), while against no other team have they played more often in the competition without losing (also unbeaten in five games against Togo).

● Mali have scored just two goals in their previous five AFCON games against Ivory Coast (conceded nine), against no team that they’ve played more than twice in the competition have they scored fewer goals.

● Mali have progressed from all five of their previous quarter-final appearances at the AFCON, indeed it is the most number of matches any team has played in this round without ever being eliminated.

● Ivory Coast have only scored three goals in getting to the quarter-finals of AFCON 2023, the fewest they’ve ever scored in a single edition when playing a minimum of four matches.

● Ivory Coast are through to the quarter-finals of AFCON 2023 despite losing two of their last three matches; prior to the 1-0 defeat to Nigeria in their second group game this year, they’d only lost two of their previous 19 games in the competition.

Mali XI: Diarra; Traore, Haidara, Kouyate, Niakate, Samasseskou, Couliabaly, Sacko, Traore, Sinayoko, Doumbia.

Ivory Coast XI: Fofana; Aurier, Ndicka, Seri, Konan; Fofana, Kessie, Gradel; Kossounou, Kouame, Pepe.