By

Eniola Olatunji 

The Teranga Lions of Senegal on Friday night stamped their supremacy on fellow West African rivals, the Eagles of Mali, edging a tense quarterfinal encounter 1–0 at the Grand Stade de Tangier in Morocco to book a place in the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

 

Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, 27, proved the difference in the 27th minute when he calmly controlled a ball that ricocheted off a Malian defender before firing a composed finish straight down the middle of the net. The goal ultimately sent the Malians packing and earned Ndiaye the Man of the Match award, making him the cover star of the encounter.

 

Mali’s task was made far more difficult after Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma was sent off late in the first half. Bissouma had earlier been booked in the 23rd minute and received a second yellow card for a foul in added time of the first half (45+3), reducing the Eagles to ten men. It was Mali’s second red card of the tournament, following Haidama’s dismissal against Comoros in the group stage. Bissouma had also picked up a yellow card earlier in the competition against Tunisia.

 

Football pundits had widely tipped Senegal for victory based on their commanding performances earlier in the tournament, and the match statistics justified those expectations. Senegal dominated proceedings with 18 shots to Mali’s 6, including 9 on target compared to Mali’s 1, while enjoying 65 percent possession.

 

Anticipating Mali’s traditionally physical approach, the Lions of Teranga matched and exceeded their opponents’ intensity, committing 15 fouls to Mali’s 7, receiving 5 yellow cards to Mali’s 2, and edging the corner count 7–5. Mali were kept in the contest largely due to the brilliance of goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, who leapt and flew with feline agility, recalling memories of legendary Ghanaian goalkeeper Henry Carr, once a standout for Alyufsalam FC of Ilorin and the Ghana Black Stars. Diarra had also been Man of the Match in Mali’s previous outing.

 

With the victory, Senegal advanced to their fourth AFCON semifinal in 18 appearances and will face the winner of the explosive quarterfinal between the Pharaohs of Egypt and the Elephants of Ivory Coast. That semifinal is scheduled for Wednesday in Tangier, although the Egypt–Ivory Coast clash takes place tomorrow at 8:00 pm.

 

Senegal’s path to the quarterfinals underlined their title credentials. The defending champions scored 10 goals and conceded just 2, keeping two clean sheets along the way. They opened their campaign with a commanding 3–0 win over Botswana, drew 1–1 with DR Congo, and thrashed Benin 3–0 in the group stage before eliminating Sudan 3–1 in the round of 16.

 

Mali, by contrast, struggled for goals throughout the tournament. The Eagles scored just three goals while conceding the same number, keeping one clean sheet. Their group stage saw 1–1 draws with Zambia and Morocco, a goalless draw with Comoros, and a dramatic round-of-16 victory over Tunisia, winning 3–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw at full time.

 

Historically, the encounter favored Senegal. Former champions Senegal and Mali have now met seven times, with Senegal recording five wins and two draws, scoring 13 of the 18 total goals in those meetings. The highest-scoring match between the sides remains Senegal’s 3–2 friendly victory on 17 November 2007.

 

Mali, ranked 53rd in the world, have appeared at the AFCON finals 14 times but are yet to lift the trophy. Their best finish came as silver medalists in 1972, with bronze medals in 2012 and 2013, and fourth-place finishes in 2002 and 2004. Senegal, ranked 19th, are making their 18th AFCON appearance and won their maiden title at Cameroon 2021, having previously finished fourth in 1965 and 2006.

 

Later tonight at 8:00 pm, another heavyweight quarterfinal awaits as the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon clash with hosts Lions of Morocco at the Abdellah Stadium in Rabat in a thrilling “Lions’ duel.”

 

Tomorrow, Saturday, attention shifts to Marrakesh at 5:00 pm, where the Super Eagles of Nigeria face the Desert Warriors of Algeria, before the final quarterfinal between record seven-time champions Egypt and Ivory Coast kicks off in Agadir at 8:00 pm.

 

Semifinal Schedule

• First Semifinal: Senegal vs Egypt/Ivory Coast – Tangier, Wednesday 14 January, 6:00 pm

• Second Semifinal: Cameroon/Morocco vs Algeria/Nigeria – Abdellah Stadium, Morocco, 9:00 pm