NOS Football•
Senegal has reached the semi-finals of the African Cup with a minimal victory. In Tangier, the Senegalese defeated Mali 0-1. The winning goal came before half time, from the foot of star Iliman Ndiaye. Mali played the entire second half with ten men after a red card for captain Yves Bissouma.
Senegal will meet Egypt or Ivory Coast in the semi-final in five days, who will play each other on Saturday evening.
Before halftime it didn’t seem like it would remain just 0-1. Senegal had more of the ball and more chances, but Malian goalkeeper Djigui Diarra was often in the way.
After half an hour, the strong Everton striker Ndiaye managed to pass Diarra. The Everton striker initiated the attack himself with a dribble and a through pass, after which he reacted alertly when Diarra released the ball.
Red card
Mali was not afraid and bravely pressed forward despite the goal, but it could hardly create any danger to the Senegalese goal. The ambitions took a hit when captain Bissouma had to leave with his second yellow card just before half time. Mali could start even less with ten men.
Senegal chased the 0-2 after the break, but were often sloppy with the space they were given. Passes regularly did not arrive. The chances that Senegal had were saved cleverly, and sometimes somewhat chaotically, by Diarra. In injury time he tapped another ball onto the post.
Senegal, whose star player Sadio Mané played the entire match, can recover for four days and will find out on Saturday evening who will be their opponent in the semi-finals.
