After Senegal, the Mali national team qualified for the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations, which is being held in Morocco, after beating Tunisia 3-2 with a better penalty shootout.
Mali won a place among the top eight, although he was on the “ropes” several times during the meeting.
Tunisia is from the 26th minute had more playersthe Tunisians were also 1-0 after taking the lead in the 88th minute, and during the penalty shoot-out they had the advantage twice, but the Malian team, led by the Belgian Tom Saintfiet, pulled through each time and in the end celebrated by winning the quarter-finals in which waiting for Senegal. The hero of the match was goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who saved two penalty kicks.
One of the key moments of the match happened in the 26th minute when Small remained with the player less. Woyo Coulibaly stopped Hannibal Mabry with a sharp start, and the South African referee Abongile Tom showed him a red card.
Tunisia dominated the rest of the match, but until the very end of the match, there was not much excitement on either side. Tunisia managed to score in the 88th minute. Elias Saad threw in, the Malian defense fell asleep, which he took advantage of Firas Chaouat with a header for 1-0.
When it seemed that Tunisia would reach the quarterfinals with a narrow victory, Mali managed to equalize in the sixth minute of stoppage time from a penalty kick that was saved by Yassine Meriah’s handball. He was shooting Lassine Sinayoko scoring in overtime.
In the 103rd minute, Meriah almost redeemed himself for a missed penalty, but his shot from 20 meters went just wide of the goal post. Three minutes later, Tunisia scored the second goal, again Chaouat hit the net, but assistant Ali Abdi was in the backfield. By the end of extra time, there were no more chances, so the decision came down after the drama of penalties.
Tunisia took the lead with a goal Meriahfor Bissouma to switch the door. Tunisia had a chance to take a 2-0 lead, but Abdi also shot over the goal after which Sinayoko equalized at 1-1. Saad gives Tunisia a 2-1 lead and Nene then hits the crossbar. Tunisia had another chance to increase the lead, but Diarra saved Achouri’s shot, and Diakite scored to make it 2-2. In the fifth series, the decision fell. Diarra saves Ben Romdhan’s shot and El Bilal Toure scores to win.
Mali, which has never been the African champion before, but has the runner-up title (1972) and two bronze medals (2012, 2013), will play in the quarter-finals against Senegal, who beat Sudan 3-1 in the first match of the round of 16 in Tangier.
In the other round of 16 matches, Morocco – Tanzania, South Africa – Cameroon, Egypt – Benin, Nigeria – Mozambique, Algeria – DR Congo, and Ivory Coast – Burkina Faso will meet.
(Hina | Photo: X)
