Tunisia Eliminated: Mali Advances in Africa Cup

Tunisia was eliminated by Mali in the eighth finals of the African Cup of Nations after taking penalties. The Dutch opponent at the World Cup scored the 1-1 well into injury time of regular playing time.

It turned out to be an expensive goal for the ‘Eagles of Carthage’, who played most of the match against ten men due to a red card for the Malian Woyo Coulibaly. There was no more scoring in extra time and Mali won 3-2 in the penalty shootout.

Earlier today, Senegal qualified first for the quarter-finals. The ‘Lions of Teranga’ fell behind against Sudan in Tangier, but they turned the game around and won 3-1.

As in the previous matches, Hannibal Mejbri provided few bright spots in the otherwise mediocre Tunisia. The Burnley midfielder was elusive at times and was stopped with hard fouls.

In the 26th minute, Coulibaly stepped on Mejbri’s foot and the Malian had to pay for it with a red card. It did not make the assignment for Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet’s Mali any easier, but the resistance of the ten also became fiercer.

Five minutes before half-time, Mejbri took off on the edge of the penalty area and was knocked down with a hard tackle by Lassana Coulibaly, who did not even receive a card for it.

The game remained mediocre in the second half and the fouls were numerous. Fifteen minutes after the break, Mejbri thought he would score a penalty in a duel with Aliou Dieng, but referee Abongile Tom judged it as a mistake by the Tunisian.

Mejbri received a yellow card for his action. The trendsetter was then almost accurate with a free kick, but was taken off by coach Sami Trabelsi a few minutes before the end of regular playing time.

Substitute Firas Chaouat seemed to head the Tunisians to a hard-fought victory in the 88th minute, but things went wrong in injury time. Hands from Yassine Meriah gave Mali a penalty.

Lassine Sinayoko fired the penalty into the corner well into injury time through the hands of Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, forcing extra time at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.

After the goalless extra time, Tunisia still took the lead in the penalty series, but a penalty from Ali Abdi and penalties from Elias Achouri and Mohamed Ben Romdhane that Diarra saved proved fatal for Tunisia.

Mali will now face Senegal in the quarter-finals. Star player Sadio Mané was in the starting line-up against Sudan for one-time African Cup winner Senegal. Kalidou Koulibaly, former Napoli and Chelsea defender, was missing due to suspension.

Perhaps that is why Senegal was surprised after a few minutes of play. A nice turning shot from Aamir Abdallah flew into the far top corner.