Mali, Senegal battle through drama to reach AFCON quarter-finals

Mali and Senegal booked their places in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals after two gripping last-16 encounters that showcased composure, resilience and late drama.

Senegal were forced to come from behind to overcome a spirited Sudan side 3-1, with Pape Gueye delivering a decisive first-half brace to extend the Lions of Teranga’s unbeaten head-to-head record against their neighbours to eight matches.

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Having failed to score a single goal of their own throughout the group stage, Sudan stunned Senegal just six minutes into the contest. Aamir Abdallah worked a yard of space away from Ismail Jakobs before curling a sublime effort into the far corner, catching Édouard Mendy flat-footed and briefly silencing the Senegalese support.

Senegal responded immediately. Ismaïla Sarr fired straight at Monged Elneel, while Sadio Mané blazed over as the Lions of Teranga pressed for an equaliser. Abdallah almost struck again at the other end before a clash of heads between Habib Diarra and Ammar Taifour caused a temporary stoppage in play.

Sudan continued to compete bravely, with Mohamed Eisa forcing Mendy into a save, but Senegal’s pressure soon became relentless. Gueye was denied from range by Elneel, who then produced an outstanding stop to thwart Nicolas Jackson. The Sudan goalkeeper could do nothing moments later, however, as Gueye picked out the bottom corner from the edge of the area to restore parity.

Ismaïla Sarr then saw a penalty appeal waved away and had a goal ruled out for offside, before Gueye struck again in first-half stoppage time. Another clinical finish ensured Senegal went into the break ahead, turning a difficult opening into a position of control.

Sudan attempted to replicate their fast start after the interval, with Sheddy Barglan denied and Mohamed Saeed Ahmed firing off target. Their task became even harder when Mustafa Karshom was forced off through injury, allowing Senegal to tighten their grip on the contest.

Despite dominating possession, Senegal initially struggled to extend their lead as Boulaye Dia and Krépin Diatta were wasteful from promising positions. The breakthrough finally arrived when substitute Ibrahim Mbaye made an immediate impact, racing onto Mané’s perfectly weighted through ball and beating Elneel at the near post just three minutes after entering the fray.

Mbaye later headed over from El Hadji Malick Diouf’s cross, but any late anxiety was removed when Diatta’s challenge on Al Gozoli Nooh prevented Sudan from mounting a meaningful comeback. Senegal’s ninth consecutive competitive match without defeat secured their place in the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere, Mali reached the last eight after an extraordinary battle against Tunisia that saw them prevail 3-2 on penalties despite playing most of the match with ten men.

The contest was fractious from the outset, with referee Abongile Tom issuing four yellow cards inside the opening 25 minutes. Matters worsened for Mali when Woyo Coulibaly was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on Hannibal Mejbri, making Mali the nation with the most red cards across the last three AFCON editions.

Tunisia dominated possession thereafter but struggled to convert control into clear chances. Djigui Diarra remained largely untroubled before the break, and Mali even threatened on the counter after the restart, with substitute Dorgeles Nene firing over.

The first shot on target arrived when Hannibal’s free kick was palmed away by Diarra, who then denied Elias Saad moments later. Tunisia’s persistence finally paid off late in normal time as Saad’s looping cross found Chaouat unmarked, allowing him to head into the bottom corner.

Just as elimination loomed, Mali were handed a lifeline in stoppage time when Yassine Meriah was penalised for handball. Lassine Sinayoko calmly converted the resulting penalty to force extra time as heavy rain began to fall.

Extra time produced few clear chances, with Meriah blazing over from distance and Chaouat seeing a goal ruled out for offside. The match was eventually decided on penalties, the first shootout of this AFCON.

After both sides traded misses and conversions, Diarra produced a stunning save to deny Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, his second of the shootout, before El Bilal Touré stepped up to bury the decisive kick and send Mali through.

Mali will now face Senegal in the quarter-finals, setting up a heavyweight West African clash between Senegal’s control and attacking depth and Mali’s resilience forged under pressure.