Lassine Sinayoko: How versatility and the AFCON formed Mali’s star forward

Locked in a fierce battle with 2025 Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco, the Mali national team were in need of a moment of magic and Lassine Sinayoko rose to the occasion. After the Eagles conceded a devastating penalty kick to Brahim Díaz just before halftime, the Auxerre forward drew a penalty kick before converting from the spot to pull his team level in the second half.

Bringing Mali back to the match. It’s what Sinayoko does. 🇲🇱#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WePlayDifferent pic.twitter.com/fTOGuLKfhU

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 4, 2026

Up until that moment around the hour mark before his powerful run into the Atlas Lions penalty area led to the equalizer, it was a struggle for Sinayoko. Facing a dominant Moroccan team that controlled the ball, the forward had to pursue many lost causes and attempt many attacks that had little chance of succeeding against multiple defenders.

But thanks to a solid defensive effort from the West Africans, they remained in the match. And when Sinayoko sensed the golden opportunity, the 26-year-old took it with aplomb. A strong dribbling run from central defender Abdoulaye Diaby brought the ball towards the Moroccan penalty area. When a tackle jarred the ball loose, Sinayoko pounced for the decisive moment.

A VAR review confirmed the penalty kick and the Mali forward did just enough on his spot kick to beat Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. The Eagles secured a point in the Lions’ den, a moment that exposed that the hosts may not be so invincible on their home soil. The result brought Morocco’s FIFA-record 19-match winning streak to an end.

But that performance was only one of the many ways that Lassine Sinayoko can contribute to the Malian attack. Playing at the top of the formation, the forward can put in an industrious effort to make space for his attacking teammates while being able to get on the end of crosses and hold the ball under pressure.

However, what separates himself from the other forwards on the Malian team is Sinayoko’s versatility. It is something he specializes in with Auxerre, the ability to be productive whether he is leading the attack in the center or in a more complimentary role on either wing.

Versaility is his most valuable characteristic in a group of Malian forwards that ranges from traditional “#9” forward El Bilal Touré to speed merchants like Dorgeles Nene, who needs space to operate. With Mali, Sinayoko brings all these desirable characteristics together as an all-purpose forward who can thrive both with and without the ball.

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations was his breakout performance for Mali, where Sinayoko gained momentum before the tournament with impressive outings in friendly matches before fulfilling his most important duty at the finals in Ivory Coast by scoring goals.

🇲🇱 Lassine Sinayoko wins #GoalOfTheDay with an absolutely immense finish. ✨@1xBet_Eng | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/ql8OtLH7y7

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 16, 2024

Beginning the 2023 edition with a poacher’s finish in a 2-0 victory over South Africa, Sinayoko took full command. He followed up with a goal in a 1-1 group stage draw with Tunisia and also scored the match-winner in the Round of 16 against Burkina Faso before Malian hearts were broken in the quarterfinals against the hosts.

While many observers of African football look for the young players who burst into stardom at the AFCON, Sinayoko is a bit of a late bloomer at the age of 26 but years of development at Auxerre have prepared him well for these moments. After breaking out with his current club in France’s second tier Ligue 2, he endured a difficult first campaign in Ligue 1 with only one goal and two assists in 33 appearances as Auxerre were relegated following the 2022-23 season.

However, he fully realized his potential the following season in Ligue 2. With 8 goals and 4 assists in 34 matches, Sinayoko did not remain silent after the club bounced back to Ligue 1 for the 2024-25 season. With 5 goals and 8 assists last season, he now has 6 goals and 2 assists in 16 matches. Most importantly, the increase in goal involvements comes as Sinayoko continues to switch between playing in the center as well as on both flanks.

🇲🇱 @Lasso7r Sinayoko : l’Aigle de l’@AJA 🦅 pic.twitter.com/yHMW6vZe1U

— Ligue 1 McDonald’s (@Ligue1) December 26, 2025

It is this versatility and ability to play on the flanks that brought Sinayoko into a talented Malian team that has numerous forwards who are well established in European club football. Initially utilized on the flanks in a three-forward line for the Eagles, his success at the 2023 AFCON has now made Sinayoko a player who is handed the most important responsibilities as the focal point at the tip of the formation.

Willing to do the difficult work and accept various roles for his club and in the early stages of his national team career, he is now the most trusted attacker in coach Tom Saintfiet’s setup. Now fully confident in his finishing abilities honed from years at Auxerre as well as his breakout performance at the 2023 AFCON, Sinayoko is the driving force for Mali as they attempt to reach their first AFCON final since 1972.