How and Where to Watch: Mali vs Rwanda LIVE on beIN SPORTS

Mali and Rwanda meet in a crucial battle for the top spot in Group K of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers on Friday, November 13. Both teams have won their opening two matches, setting up one of the most intriguing encounters of the international window.

Watch Mali vs Rwanda LIVE on beIN SPORTS

Mali vs Rwanda: How and Where to Watch LIVE

Matchday 3 of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers brings a top-of-the-table showdown to the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, where Mali welcomes Rwanda on Friday, November 13.

Both nations have collected six points from their opening two matches, although Rwanda leads Group K on goals scored after finding the net five times compared to Mali's four.

Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT, with coverage beginning at 1:50 PM ET / 10:50 AM PT on beIN SPORTS CONNECT in the United States.

Mali Looks to Extend Its Perfect Start Despite a Key Absence

Mali, managed by Anthony Da Silva, has made an impressive start to its qualifying campaign, winning both opening matches.

The Eagles began with a 3-1 home victory over Cape Verde on September 25. Martial Tia opened the scoring before Nene Dorgeles struck twice to secure the three points.

Four days later, Mali defeated Liberia 1-0 away from home, with Tia scoring the winning goal in the 79th minute.

However, Mali will be without three important players for the November double-header. Ange Martial Tia, who scored twice in the opening two qualifiers, has been ruled out with an ankle injury. Adama Camara and Lassana Coulibaly are also unavailable due to muscular injuries.

Head coach Anthony Da Silva has named a 24-man squad featuring Hamari Traoré, Amadou Haïdara, Aliou Dieng, and Lassine Sinayoko. The biggest additions are Swansea City's Moussa Yeo and West Ham United's Mohamadou Kanté, both receiving their first senior international call-ups.

Without Tia, one of the standout performers of the opening matchdays, the Eagles will need other attacking options to step up against their fellow Group K leaders.

Rwanda Aims to Maintain Its Perfect Record Under Stephen Constantine

Rwanda, coached by Stephen Constantine, has also enjoyed an excellent start to the competition, securing consecutive victories against Liberia and Cape Verde.

The Amavubi opened with a 3-1 home win over Liberia, thanks to goals from Abeddy Biramahire, Leroy-Jacques Mickels and Joy-Lance Mickels.

Their second victory came against Cape Verde on September 29, when Rwanda overturned a one-goal deficit to win 2-1.

Stephen Constantine has trimmed his squad to 24 players after assessing their performances during the national team's training camp. Among those omitted are Elie Ganijuru, Kevin Muhire, Taiba Mbonyumwami, and goalkeeper Yves Mugisha, while Fidèle Uwiyaremye had previously been released for disciplinary reasons.

Meanwhile, Rwanda welcomes back defender Thierry Manzi and midfielder Jean Bosco Ruboneka. The Amavubi will now look to preserve their perfect qualifying record against one of the group's strongest opponents.

Can Rwanda End Mali's Historical Dominance?

Recent meetings favor Mali, which defeated Rwanda twice during the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, winning 1-0 in September 2021 and 3-0 two months later.

However, both teams enter Friday's encounter with identical six-point records, while Cape Verde and Liberia remain without points.

The top two teams in Group K will qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

For Rwanda, the double-header also carries historical significance. The Amavubi have reached the Africa Cup of Nations finals only once, in 2004, and are now chasing a return to the tournament after 23 years. With six points from their opening two qualifiers, Stephen Constantine's team has a valuable opportunity to move closer to that goal.

However, Mali has won the last two meetings between the nations without conceding a goal. The battle between the Group K leaders could prove to be one of the most consequential matchups of the international window.