Overview:
Mali will face 2021 AFCON champions Senegal in the quarter finals.
AFCON 2025 (Round of 16)
- Mali 1 (3) – (2) Tunisia
It was drama, tension and non-stop explosive action amid the chilly weather conditions at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca city during the second round of 16 contest between Mali and Tunisia on Saturday night.
Mali qualified to the quarterfinals of the on-going AFCON 2025 after ejecting Tunisia 3-2 in post-match penalties.
Normal time of this thrilling end-to-end contest had ended 1-all with the additional extra time of 30 minutes also failing to find a clear-cut winner.
Since the 26th minute, Mali played with a man less after red card to defender Woyo Coulibaly who maliciously tackled Tunisian playmaker Hannibal Mejbri.
The Sassoulo defender badly hammered the ankle of Burnley’s Hannibal in a late challenge that the referee penalized with a straight sending off.
Tunisia remained dominant for long spells of the game with countless offensive moves although Mali started calm, in shape and disciplined at all times to avoid conceding.
There was late drama when Tunisian substitute Firas Chaouat headed the Carthage Eagles ahead in the 88th minute.
Chaouat, a forward at Tunisian giants Club Africain brushed home Ali Elabdi’s inviting delivery on the left to shock the Malians.
The joy was however short-lived when Lassine Sinayoko converted from 12 yards following a penalty awarded by referee Tom Abongile for a handball call off Yassine Meriah’s hand.
A.J Auxerre forward Sinayoko maintained his composure and fired past goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen in the 97th minute to send the game into extra-time that was played under heavy rainy conditions.
Despite Tunisia’s high pressing game, Mali maintained the “Berlin wall” defence to avoid conceding.
The West Africans would in fact have won it in the added 30 minutes but missed two glaring scoring opportunities and the contest ended all square to call for post-match penalties.
Tense shoot-out:
In the shoot-out, Mali held their nerves to win 3-2 with goalkeeper Diarra Djigui the hero.
Sinayoko, Diakite Gaossou and El Bilal Toure scored for Mali whilst Yassine Meriah and Elias Saad netted for Tunisia.
Mali captain Yves Bissouma blasted his effort over the bar and substitute Nene Dorgeles hit the right-hand goal post.
Tunisian Ali Elabdi ballooned over the ball, Mohamed Elyes Achouri and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhan had their efforts saved by Mali’s goalkeeper Diarra who features for Tanzanian side Young Africans.
The winning penalty by Toure silenced the lively Tunisian crowd, sparking wild celebrations from the Mali faithful in the stadium and elsewhere.
Goalkeeper Diarra was deservedly rewarded with the man of the match honors as the celebrations continued across Casablanca city from the ecstatic Mali supporters.
Mali will face 2021 AFCON champions Senegal in the quarter finals. Senegal bundled out CECAFA zone representatives Sudan 3-1 in the early kick-off.
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
Head coach: Tom Julianus Saintfiet (Belgium)
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)
Match officials:
- Center Referee: 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