Race for Mali to make it to World Cup game on time

Mali are facing a race against time to get to Johannesburg in time for their World Cup qualifier against Madagascar on Tuesday after their charter flight was cancelled three times.

They were now due to leave Bamako on Monday on a scheduled flight and likely only arrive hours before kick-off of the match at 3pm on Tuesday.

Madagascar are hosting the game at Soccer City after the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium in Antananarivo was condemned as not suitable for international competition.

Mali, who came close to World Cup qualification for the first time in the playoffs for the last finals in Qatar, need an away win to boost their bid for a place at the 2026 finals after an unexpected home loss to Ghana last week.

They were stung by last minute winner from Jordan Ayew in their last qualidier at home and left in fourth place in their six team group, two points behind Madagascar, Ghana and the Comoros Islands.

The group is still a long way from being concluded but another setback could have a major impact on Mali’s hopes.

Only the group winner qualifies for the 2026 World Cup in North America, with a possible playoff place for the runner-up.

The first postponement of the flight to Johannesburg took place on Friday night, the second Saturday at noon and the third on Sunday morning.

Each time it was weather conditions that caused the departure, leaving the squad to remain in Bamako at their Kabala base and continue their preparations.

Madagascar were 2-1 winners on Friday at Soccer City in their island derby against the Comoros Islands.