Mali maintained their perfect start in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers following a 1-0 win against Eswatini at Mbombela Stadium in South Africa on Tuesday.

A defensive blunder allowed midfielder Yves Bissouma to rob the ball off one of Eswatini players before scoring what turned out to be the winner in the seventh minute.

Eswatini’s first shot on target came in the 10th minute but it went inches wide. Two minutes later, there was a heavy collision between Mali’s Moussa Djenepo, who bore the brunt and Mpendulo Tfomo from Eswatini. The collision forced Mali coach Tom Saintfiet to replace Djenepo for Camara.

Mali continued to dominate the game, but Eswatini started to come out of their half more and finding some space. In the 28th minute, Adama Malouda Traore missed another chance for Mali after his right-footed shot went over the bar.

Another scoring opportunity fell to Mali in the 36th minute after a low cross from Salim Diakite went through the unmarked Mamadou Doumbia, but the latter could not reach the ball, with the goalkeeper already out of his line.

Mohamed Camara then wasted another chance for Mali after he unleashed a weak effort from outside the box which was not able to trouble Eswatini goalkeeper. That was the end of the first half action as Mali went into the break enjoying a 1-0 lead.

In the 55th minute, Bissouma had a great chance to set up the second goal, but he was slow to pass the ball despite having three Mali players around him. In the 62nd minute, Adama Malouda had another chance, but his shot went wide of the right post.