Preview: Uganda vs. Mali - prediction, team news, lineups

Mali head into the next fixture of their World Cup qualifying campaign looking to build on their opening Group E victory over Rwanda.

Meanwhile, Uganda started with a goalless draw against Kenya, putting them in a position where they could move to the top of the group with a win on Monday.

Match preview

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With just 10 group winners progressing through to the third and final qualifying round, every point is vital even at this early stage of Group E.

Mali, currently ranked in 60th position in the FIFA World Rankings, will feel like they have been provided with a favourable group, backing up that opinion on matchday one.

An early goal from Adama Traore earned the Eagles a narrow victory over Uganda, ending a run of three matches without success in all competitions.

Finding the back of the net is proving to be a problem for his side with Traore's strike just the second that they have scored during that period.

Nevertheless, Mohamed Magassouba will feel that results are all that matter at this stage as Mali attempt to qualify for their first-ever World Cup.

His Uganda counterpart Milutin Sredojevic is likely to be of the same opinion, particularly when this group of players have not won during 2021.

The Cranes are without a victory to their name since edging out South Sudan last November, a streak which makes the stalemate with Kenya feel like a credible result.

Reaching the last 16 of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations is still fresh in the memory of their supporters, but they must improve if they are to emerge as contenders to reach the final stage.

These nations have not faced each other since playing out a 1-1 draw during the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2017.

Team News

Magassouba may consider selecting the same starting lineup from Mali's latest fixture on Wednesday.

Cheick Doucoure, Moussa Doumbia and Mahamadou Doucoure are in contention to come into the side after their second-half introductions against Rwanda.

Enock Walusimbi and Derrick Nsibambi could both be handed opportunities in the Uganda starting lineup.

Halid Lwaliwa was an early injury withdrawal versus Kenya, while the squad's top goalscorer Emmanuel Okwi was substituted at half time.

Uganda possible starting lineup:

Lukwago, Jjuko, Iguma, Walusimbi, Muleme, Ochaya, Bobosi, Aucho, Waiswa, Karisa, Nsibambi.

Mali possible starting lineup:

Mounkoro; H.Traore, Sacko, Kouyate, C.Traore; Doucoure, Coulibaly; A.Traore, Haidara, Djenepo; Kone

We say: Uganda 0-1 Mali

While Mali are the clear favourites to prevail on Monday, Uganda showed enough in their last game to suggest that they could run the visitors close. Nevertheless, that is not enough for us to back against the visitors, who could prevail by the narrowest of scorelines.