Two-time champions Mali advanced to the semi-finals of the Total Energies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 3-0 win over Congo in Annaba on Thursday.
The win assures Mali of third place among the four African nations booking their tickets to the FIFA World Cup.
Ange Thea, Mamadou Doumbia and Mohamed Parry scored three goals for Malian. Eagles It should give them a spot in the last four and a ticket to the World Expo.
Eight minutes later, Diya met Mali with a brilliant break into the box from a Toumbia through ball and a shot to the left.
Mali dominated from the word go and controlled Congo’s movement early, pinning them in their own half. Doumbia almost made it 2-0 for Mali in the 26th minute with a half-turn shot from the edge of the box, but it went wide.
Five minutes later he made it 2-0 with a low finish after Barry’s defence-splitting pass found him well.
In the second half, Mali continued with the same pressure and in the 53rd minute, Doumbia thought they would have secured a third when captain Ibrahim Diarra was sent off, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
A minute later, they took a 3-0 lead. Barry converted from the penalty spot after Brad-Hamilton Mandsaunga handled his initial cross into the box.
The goal boosted Mali’s confidence and they played well, passing the ball with ease while Congo struggled to keep pace.
They had more chances to score in the 65th minute with captain Tiara seeing his effort hit the post and rebound over from the edge of the box, while his effort was blocked by the keeper.
Substitute Ibrahim Khanet also had a close chance in the 88th minute when he was beaten down the right but his shot rolled inches wide.
Congo were awarded a late penalty by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after Kousseau Kone brought down Panziel in the box after a Geldani stalkout. Panziel took charge, but keeper Bourama Kone made a brilliant save to keep his clean sheet in the match intact.
Mali now face Morocco in Sunday’s semi-final in Constantine.
„Całkowity introwertyk. Nieprzejednany specjalista od sieci. Przyjazny fanatyk bekonu. Student ekstremalnych. Miłośnik piwa. Organizator.”