The Mali national team defeated its South African counterpart 2-0 on Tuesday evening in the second match of the first round in Group E of the African Cup of Nations, which is currently being held in Ivory Coast.
Percy Tau, the star of the South African national team and the Egyptian Al-Ahly team, wasted the opportunity to advance for his team by kicking the ball high while taking a penalty kick in the 19th minute.
Percy Tau misses a penalty kick in a strange way
#Africa_Cup of Nations #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/ASD8A2awt9— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 16, 2024
The missed kick was a turning point for Mali, which increased its defensive caution and began to threaten South Africa’s goal.
In the second half, Mali decided the match in its favor by scoring two consecutive goals through Hamare Traoré and Lassina Senayoko in the 60th and 66th minutes.
Hamari Traoré scores the lead goal for Mali#Africa_Cup of Nations | #Mali_South_Africa #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/Sk00rC6LrL
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 16, 2024
With this victory, the Mali national team leads Group E with 3 points, superior on goal difference to its Namibian counterpart, who beat Tunisia 1-0 earlier on Tuesday.
In the second round, the Mali national team will play against Tunisia next Saturday, while the South African and Namibia national teams will meet on Sunday.
Lassen Senayoko scores the second goal for Mali#Africa_Cup of Nations | #Mali_South_Africa #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/mnZu840Kxg
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 16, 2024
A successful start for the Malian team
⏯️ Watch the match summary 👇#Africa_Cup of Nations | #Mali_South_Africa#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/9twM1xjZc4
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) January 16, 2024
