AFCON 2025 (Round of 16):
- Mali 0-0 Tunisia (Half-Time)
A sold out crowd at the Mohamed V stadium in Casablanca has witnessed a mouth-watering round of 16 clash between Mali and Tunisia, still goal-less by the half time mandatory recess.
Mali is a man down following a sending off for defender Woyo Coulibaly with Tunisia enjoying a lion’s share of the ball possession and goal scoring opportunities.
There have been four yellow cards dashed out, a red card and one forced subsistution in the physical contest handled by South African referee Tom Abongile.
The late evening heavy rains only soften the green at the facility with the chilly weather awakening the thousands in the stands.
Tunisia’s offensive intentions commenced as early as the second minute when Nene Dorgelles of Fenerbahce broke through on the right but Mali’s Camara Ousmane was well positioned to head away the threat.
Mali’s Mamadou Doumbia became the first player to be cautioned for a late lunge onto Yan Vallery in the third minute.
Tunisia earned their first corner kick of the game in the 4th minute.
The second yellow card came on six minutes to Tunisian defender Dylan Daniel Mahmoud Bronn who fouled Lassine Sinayoko.
Bronn got injured in the process of the tackle and was quickly replaced by Yassine Meriah in the 11th minute.
Ismael Seifallah Gharbi had a shot off target from 30 yards for Tunisia before Mali’s first corner kick on the quarter hour mark.
Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen punched away a curling corner kick delivery by Mamadou Sangare on 16 minutes before Malian captain Yves Bissouma was yellow carded for a lunge onto Valery.
It was Tunisia again in the 20th minute when Gharbi forced goalkeeper Djigui Diarra into a save.
The fourth caution of the game came to Tunisian Mohamed Belhadji Mahmoud for fouling Bissouma in the 24th minute.
Mali regained momentum, earning two corner kicks in succession.
Mali’s Woyo Coulibaly fouls Hannibal Mejbri. The foul earned the Sasuolo defender a straight red card Credit: John Batanudde
Mali got to ten men after Sasuoulo defender Woyo Coulibaly was sent out for an early shower following a malicious foul on Hannibal Mejbri in the 26th minute.
Tunisia optimized on the numerical advantage with countless attacks to the opposition witnessing Joris Skhiri’s shot blocked on the half hour mark.
Lassana Coulibaly fouled Hannibal, gifting Tunisia a free-kick on the edge of the goal area but Mali defence stood tall.
Mali ended the opening half on a high note, winning two quick corner kicks well defended.
The second half comes with a different game plan for the two teams. Mali with ten men will definitely need quick answers on how to defend and attack with a man less.
Tunisia eyes optimum utilization of a man advantage on how to get the result that will drive them to the quarter finals where a berth Senegal looms.
Team Line Ups:
Mali XI: Djigui Diarra (G.K), Amadou Dante, Diaby Abdoulaye, Mahamadou Doumbia, Yves Bissouma (Captain), Lassana Coulibalu, Lassine Sinayoko, Mamadou Sangare, Aliou Dieng, Ousmane Camara, Woyo Coulibaye
Subs:Ismael Diarra Diawara (G.K), Mamadou Samassa (G.K), Hamari Traore, Nene Dorgelles, El Bilal Toure, Mohamed Camara, Fode Doucoure, Mamadou Camara, Mamadou Fofana, Mamadou Doumbia, Kamory Doumbia,, Ibrahima Sissoko, Gaoussou Diakite, Nathan Gassama
Tunisia XI: Aymen Dahmen (G.K), Ali Elabdi, Montassar Omar Talbi, Dylan Daniel Mahmoud Bronn, Hazem Mastouri, Hannibal Mejbri, Ismael Seifallah Gharbi, Ferjani Sassi (Captain), Mohamed Belhadj Mahmoud, Ellyes Joris Mahmoud, Valery Yan
Subs: Noureddine Farhati (G.K), Said Bechir (G.K), Yassine Merah, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhan, Mohamed Elyes Achouri, Elias Saad, Ali Maaloul, Nader Ghandri, Firas Chaouat, Ahmed Mortadha Ben Ouanes, Naimi Sliti, Adam Arous, Sebastian Tounekti, Seifeddine Jaziri
Head coach: Sami Trabelsi (Tunisia)
Head coach: Tom Julianus Saintfiet (Belgium)
Match officials:
Head coach: Tom Abongile (Tunisia)
Assistant Referee 1: Zakhele Thusi Granville Siwela (South Africa)
Assistant Referee 2: Souru Phatsoane (Lesotho)
Fourth official: Ahmad Heeralall (Morocco)
Commissioner: Jean Kossa (Congo)
General Coordinator: Helly Zafinimanga (Madagascar)
Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Brighton Chimene (Zimbabwe)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee (AVAR): Hamza El Fariq (Morocco)