Mali and Cape Verde are set to meet on September 25 in their opening Group K fixture of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifying campaign. The parallel opening match in the group features Rwanda hosting Liberia.
Cape Verde enters the qualifiers under new head coach Humberto Bettencourt, who was promoted following the departure of former Manager Bubista to Moroccan club RS Berkane. Bettencourt spent six years as assistant coach and served on the technical staff during Cape Verde’s historic first FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026.
This technical continuity is expected to play a critical role as Cape Verde prepares to face a depth-heavy Malian side. With only six fixtures available in the group stage to secure a place among the top two qualifying spots, earning early points remains crucial for both teams.
–ChannelAfrica–
