Which Footballers Are Attending Morocco vs Mali AFCON Match Tonight?

The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium is set to host a fierce clash between the Morocco National Football Team and the Mali National Football Team in the second round of the AFCON 2025 on Friday. This intense Morocco vs Mali AFCON clash is likely to feature multiple footballing stars like Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, who have arrived in Rabat during the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Morocco. The presence of Kylian Mbappe in AFCON is linked to a personal visit rather than any official role.

According to L'EQUIPE, the French striker Kylian Mbappe travelled to Rabat accompanied by members of his family. The visit takes place during the holiday break in the European football calendar, a period that allows players based in Europe to attend international events as spectators.

Also, according to some sources, another French star might show up in the Morocco vs Mali AFCON match: current Ballon d'Or winner, Ousmane Dembele, might also feature in this match. His link in AFCON is heavily linked to his PSG teammate Achraf Hakimi.

Why are the Stars attending Morocco vs Mali in AFCON?

Mbappé's trip is directly related to his long-standing friendship with one of Morocco's most well-known athletes, Achraf Hakimi. After playing together at Paris Saint-Germain, the two football players have remained close. Mbappé is anticipated to be present at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium for Morocco's group match against Mali, where Hakimi and his teammates will compete in front of home fans.

Even though Mbappé isn't playing on the pitch, his presence in Rabat emphasises how the Africa Cup of Nations is becoming more well-known worldwide. The competition, which Morocco is hosting, has garnered a lot of attention from around the world due to its athletic calibre as well as the infrastructure and organisation of the nation, and the Moroccan football players to lead them to glory. Morocco's position as a crucial host country for continental and international competitions is reinforced by high-profile visitors from European football, which highlights the event's status as a major fixture on the international football calendar.

Why is Morocco vs Mali in AFCON important?

When Morocco plays the Mali National Football Team in the second round of the 2025 African Cup of Nations at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Friday, a win could guarantee their spot in the knockout stage and keep them ahead of Group A. The Eagles drew 1-1 with Zambia in their opening match, while the Atlas Lions started the tournament with a 2-0 victory over Comoros on Sunday, putting them two points ahead of the Group A pack.

The Morocco National Football Team failed to convert any of their seven attempts in the first half of their first game, including a penalty miss by centre-forward Soufiane Rahimi in the eleventh minute. But Brahim Diaz's clinical performance opened the score in the 55th minute, and Ayoub El Kaabi's spectacular finish sealed the victory.