Having largely struggled in the qualifying campaign, this will be a perfect opportunity for Mali to prove they belong at the tournament finals.

That will be no easy task given that they face Cameroon in their opening fixture, although the Indomitable Lions do have some important missings.

Mali national team have seriously raised its profile of late, reaching AFCON semi-finals on five separate occasions since 1994.

Les Aigles finished third in 2012 and 2013, but they will have their work cut out for them in an attempt to make it three in a row.

Mali were placed in one of the toughest groups at the tournament finals, alongside Ivory Coast, Guinea and Cameroon, and they are 3.25 (9/4) to qualify for the next stage.

Les Aigles have suffered a major blow as key striker Chieck Diabate had to withdraw due to a knee injury, although they do seem to have enough quality up front.

The likes of Modibo Maiga and Mustapha Yatabare will be relied on to produce the goals, while veteran Seydou Keita remains the most important player.

Coach Henryk Kasperczak has no fresh injury worries at the moment, although the 3-0 friendly defeat to South Africa remains a cause for concern.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): S. Diakite – D. Diakite, Konate, Wague, Tamboura, – Doumbia, Keita, Sylla – Maiga, M. Yatabare, Sako.

Cameroon remains Africa’s most successful side when it comes to appearances at World Cup finals, while they currently have four AFCON titles to their name.

Since back to back wins in 2000 and 2002, the Indomitable Lions crashed out in quarter-finals on three occasions, while losing in the final in 2008.

The squad have undergone a rebuilding process of late, with star players Samuel Eto’o and Alex Song no longer in the mix, meaning this will be a very important tournament for the new-look team.

The likes of Stephane M’Bia, Nicolas N’Koulou and Jean-Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting are expected to lead the new generation and they will be genuine role models for the younger players.

And even if the Sevilla star misses out through suspension, Cameroon have been made 2.05 (21/20) favourites to defeat Mali in their first game.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Ondoa – Bedimo, N’Koulou, Chedjou, Oyongo – N’Jie, Mandjeck, Loe, Moukandjo – Aboubakar, Choupo-Moting.