National teams 31 January 2024, 19:17

Mohamed Camara and Mali are in the AFCON quarterfinals!

Dans une rencontre qui aura tardé à donner son verdict, le Mali de Mohamed Camara s’est débarrassé du Burkina Faso (2-1), et sera donc au rendez-vous des quarts de finale de la Coupe d’Afrique des Nations.

The process is underway. After finishing at the top of its group, Mali was expected to continues its progress in the Round of 16. The task did not look easy, since Mohamed Camara and his team would face Burkina Faso, semi-finalists in the last edition. Against the Stallions, the Malians showed themselves solid, but might have believed they were experiencing a new disaster scenario.

ILS L’ONT FAIT ! 🗣️

Les Aigles du Mali s’imposent 2-1 face aux étalons du Burkina Faso et gagnent un match à élimination directe et accèdent aux quarts de finale pour la première fois depuis 11 ans 🤯

🔜 NEXT 1/4 de Finale contre la Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮

📸@femafoot pic.twitter.com/eJGqVnoCQ5

— Les Aigles Du Mali 🇲🇱🦅 (@AiglesDuMali_) January 30, 2024

A sensational entrance

The match started perfectly for the Eagles who, after a perfectly executed bit of collective play, delivered a dangerous cross into the open area. First headed, the ball hits the post, before coming off the unfortunate Edmond Tapsoba, who scored an own goal into the top corner (3′, 1-0). Dominant, the Malians were then not far from doubling the lead, and without the solid interventions of Hervé Koffi (24′ and 30′) would have done so.

Absolutely world class own goal from Tapsoba here 😳pic.twitter.com/EK42O5Mpvf

— tomhwilliams23 (@tomhwilliams23) January 31, 2024

A stressful but successful ending

As soon as the restart, Mohamed Camara’s teammates moved up a gear, and doubled the lead through Lassine Sinayoko, who slipped a surgical finish between the legs of the helpless Étalons goalkeeper, to give a two-goal lead to his team (47′, 2-0).

Down, but not out, Burkina Faso regained hope shortly before the hour mark, when Bertrand Traoré reduced the score from the penalty spot (57′). The scenario seemed to be turning in Mali’s favor, but in the final moments, Issoufou Dayo though he had the much-dreamed-of equalizer, before being flagged offside (90′).

[🎞️RESUME] 🏆🌍 #CAN2023
🇲🇱🇧🇫 CSC, penalty, but dans un trou de souris, égalisation annulée dans les dernières secondes…
👉 Le Burkina-Faso y a cru jusqu'au bout, mais c'est le Mali qui affrontera la Côte d'Ivoire en 1/4 de finale !#MLIBFA #beINCAN2023

— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) January 30, 2024

Into the quarterfinals against Côte d’Ivoire… and Wilfried Singo

Things would no longer change, and Mohamed Camara, replaced in the dying seconds, could exult: Mali would return to the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 11 years. And the Monegasque midfielder knows one of his next opponents rather well, since it is none other than the… Côte d’Ivoire of Wilfried Singo. The match between the two players from Le Rocher takes place this Saturday, February 3 at 6 p.m.. Daghe Mo’ ! 🇲🇱

Photo: Icon Sport

Next for Mali 🇲🇱

Africa Cup of Nations – Quarterfinals

Saturday, February 3 (18h) : Mali – Côte d’Ivoire, Stade de la Paix (Bouaké)