Mali inched closer to qualifying to their third consecutive knockout stage at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a fierce 1-1 draw with Tunisia on Saturday night at Korhogo.
Having succumbed to a defeat at the hands of Namibia on Tuesday, Tunisia knew their destiny was on their on hands against a blazing Mali side.
The Carthage Eagles came with the mindset of notching an early opener but it was Mali who got the breakthrough after Lassine Sinayoko picked up a well laid pass from Kamouri Doumbia as he fired home a clinical finish into the far corner in the 10th minute mark.
Unfettered Tunisia responded swiftly ten minutes later as Hamza Rafia convert from Ali Abdi’s stunning cut-back. Right before halftime, Mali close into retaking the lead when Doumbia wastefully rifled a rare opportunitywide of the target.
The show of supremacy continued in the second half as both side kept pressing but lack of a cutting edge proved problematic, especially for Mali as they kept blasting away all the rare chance that came their way.
Determined to avoid a first group exit since 2013, the Carthage Eagles upped their game with time ticking into the final 20 minutes but were fortunate to be left off the hook as Sinayoko squandered, yet another close range chance over the bar for Mali.
The Eagles lack of prudence in front of goal did not come back to hunt them as Chelle’s side robustly coasted through the dying minutes of the game to pick up a valuable point moving them close to the knockout stages.
The draw stalemate extends Mali’s unbeaten run across all international matches to 10 (7 wins, 3 draws), while Tunisia on the other hand need a win against South Africa in their final Group E game to stand any chance of progressing to the round of 16 stage of the tournament.
By: Pascal Amoah
