Mali have written an extraordinary chapter in AFCON history, becoming the first team ever to qualify for the quarterfinals without winning a single match at the tournament, Softfootball reports.
Remarkably, the Eagles are not just winless they are also unbeaten at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations so far, advancing purely through resilience, defensive discipline, and nerves of steel.
Mali’s journey began in Group A, where they recorded three consecutive draws. They opened their campaign with a 1–1 draw against Zambia, followed by another 1–1 stalemate with tournament hosts Morocco, before settling for a 0–0 draw with Comoros to progress from the group stage.
Their unlikely run continued into the Round of 16, where Mali faced Tunisia. After another tight 0–0 draw across regulation and extra time, Mali held their nerve in the penalty shootout, edging Tunisia 3–2 on penalties to seal a place in the quarterfinals.
While they are yet to taste victory, Mali’s consistency and composure have kept them alive in the competition, proving that at AFCON 2025, winning isn’t the only way to survive. Their historic unbeaten, winless run now places them just one step away from the semifinals, adding even more intrigue to an already dramatic tournament.
