Mali secured a fourth consecutive look within the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) knockout levels after enjoying out a 0-0 draw with Comoros in Casablanca, a end result that was sufficient to ship the Eagles by way of as Group A runners-up, Softfootball stories.
Having earlier held Morocco to a hard-fought 1-1 draw, Mali entered this decisive conflict figuring out one other disciplined show would possible be enough for qualification. They have been nearly caught out early on, although, when Faïz Selemani’s inswinging nook threatened to creep straight into the web, just for Djigui Diarra to react sharply and push the ball clear.
That second apart, Mali largely managed the primary half. Yannick Pandor was saved busy within the Comoros aim, first denying Mali’s document goalscorer Kamory Doumbia, earlier than pre-match doubt Yves Bissouma examined the keeper with a robust effort from distance. Dorgeles Nene adopted go well with with a long-range strike that stung Pandor’s palms, underlining Mali’s rising authority.
The stress continued after the break as Nathan Gassama fired a harmful ball throughout the face of aim, with Doumbia stretching to divert it goalwards, solely to see it flash narrowly extensive. Comoros’ defence more and more lived on the sting as their goalmouth got here beneath sustained risk.
Figuring out {that a} single aim which might have been their first of the match might doubtlessly ship them by way of, Comoros started to indicate extra ambition because the match wore on. Substitute El Fardou Ben lastly compelled Mali into motion on the different finish, producing Comoros’ first shot on course and obliging Diarra to palm over from shut vary.
The complexion of the sport shifted late on when Mali have been lowered to 10 males, as Amadou Haidara was proven a crimson card for a reckless problem on Youssouf M’Changama. Regardless of the numerical benefit, Comoros have been unable to search out the decisive breakthrough and needed to accept third place within the group.
After the sport, Caf by way of its official X deal with, in a submit shared that Mali’s Mamadou Sangare has been named the person of the match. They posted
A strong efficiency from Mamadou Sangaré earns him the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award.
With simply two factors from their three matches following a 2-1 defeat to Morocco and a 0-0 draw with Zambia, Comoros’ AFCON marketing campaign is probably going over, particularly after Zambia have been additionally eradicated following their heavy 3-0 loss to Morocco immediately. Mali, in the meantime, progress safely into the knockouts in second place and prolong a formidable run that has now seen them lose simply as soon as of their final eight AFCON matches.
