The Eagles of Mali have begun preparations in Tangier for their international friendly against Morocco on Sunday, 4 October 2026, after stepping in to replace Ghana for the fixture.
The Malian side held its first training session in the Moroccan city as Antony Da Silva’s squad started preparations for the meeting with the Atlas Lions during the current international window.
Mali were brought in after the friendly originally scheduled between Morocco and Ghana was cancelled. The change means the Eagles will now face Morocco instead, with the match set to take place in Tangier on Sunday.
The Mali squad has travelled to Morocco and is continuing its preparations for the encounter, with the team focused on being ready for the challenge against the hosts.
The fixture represents a change to the plans for Morocco’s international programme after the proposed meeting with Ghana was called off. Mali were subsequently selected to take the place of the Black Stars, giving Da Silva’s players the opportunity to face the Atlas Lions.
The Eagles’ first training session in Tangier marks the beginning of their immediate preparations for the revised fixture. The squad will now use the time available before Sunday to work towards the match against Morocco.
Da Silva is overseeing the preparations as Mali get ready for their international assignment. The team’s arrival in Tangier allows the players to focus on the upcoming encounter and adjust to the demands of facing Morocco.
The friendly comes during the current international window and will give Mali the opportunity to test themselves against the Atlas Lions.
For Morocco, the fixture follows the cancellation of the planned meeting with Ghana and the subsequent decision to bring Mali into the schedule.
Mali’s preparations are therefore taking place against the backdrop of a late change to the original fixture arrangements. Rather than facing Ghana as initially planned, Morocco will now meet the Eagles in Tangier.
With the first training session already completed, Da Silva’s squad will continue its work ahead of Sunday’s match.
The Mali players are expected to remain focused on preparations for the encounter as they seek to make the most of the opportunity created by the change in Morocco’s international schedule.
The match is scheduled for Sunday, 4 October 2026, in Tangier. Until then, the Eagles will continue training under Da Silva as they build towards their meeting with the Atlas Lions.
The cancellation of the Morocco-Ghana friendly has therefore resulted in Mali taking centre stage in the fixture, with the Eagles now tasked with facing Morocco during the international window.
For Da Silva and his players, attention is firmly on Sunday’s encounter. Their first training session in Tangier has provided the starting point for preparations, with the squad now working towards being ready when they meet Morocco.
The friendly will bring together Mali and Morocco after the original fixture involving Ghana was cancelled, giving both sides an opportunity to use the international window for the scheduled encounter.
Mali’s preparations will continue in Tangier before the Eagles take on the Atlas Lions on Sunday.
