AFCON 2019
Angola 0-1 Mali
Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia
Tuesday, 02-07-2019
Mali progressed to the last 16 as group E winners with a 1-0 win over Angola on Tuesday 2nd July.
Angola just needed a point to advance as one of the best four third placed teams but were consequently shown the exit.
Amadou Haidara’s sensational strike was enough to send Mali into the next round of the Africa Cup of Nations while Angola were consequently shown the exit.
Srdjan Vasiljevic’s side nearly took an early lead in the fourth minute but Gelson Dala’s tame shot was comfortably gathered by Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.
At the half hour mark, Kalifa Coulibaly had a decent chance to give the Malians the lead but his header went wide
In the 37th minute, the RB Leipzig midfielder Haidara fired a stunning 20 yard strike past Angola custodian Tony Cabaca in the first period and it was enough to see Mali set up a knockout meeting with two time champions Ivory Coast.
In the second period, Angola tried to threaten but Wilson Eduardo was unable to find the target from the chances that came his way.
In the closing stages, Adama Traore nearly doubled Mali’s lead but was denied by goalkeeper Cabaca.
At the end of proceedings, Mali was able to saw out the win in routine fashion while Angola’s campaign ended in disappointment. They last won an AFCON game in 2012.
In the other group E contest, Tunisia played out to a goalless draw with tournament debutants Mauritania which was enough to send them through to the knockout phase.
Mali finished top of the group with 7 points, followed by the Tunisians on 3 points, Mali in third place with 2 points. Mauritania who were making their first ever appearance at the continental showpiece finished bottom on two points.
The full round of 16 fixtures
-Egypt Vs South Africa
-Madagascar Vs DR Congo
-Nigeria Vs Cameroon
-Senegal Vs Uganda
-Algeria Vs guinea
-Morocco Vs Benin
-Mali Vs Ivory Coast
-Ghana vs Tunisia
