AFCON 2021: Mali beats Mauritania to finish top of Group F

DOUALA, Cameroon – The Eagles of Mali beat Mauritania 2-0 in Douala to secure top spot in Group F of the African Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021.

Mali will meet Equatorial Guinea in the second round in Limbe on Wednesday. They are seeking a first Cup of Nations trophy win having finished runners-up the last time the tournament was played in Cameroon in 1972, while Mauritania had already been eliminated from the tournament.

Left back Massadio Haidara scored the fastest goal of the tournament as he netted after 92 seconds, before Mali added a second via the penalty spot through striker Ibrahima Kone, who scored for the third game in a row.

Mali finished the group stage with seven points, ahead of second-placed Gambia on goal difference. They were joined in the second round by Tunisia after the North Africans finished as one of the best third-placed sides.

Mauritania offered little in attack and even when trailing by two goals seemed hesitant to come forward.

They allowed Mali to play in first gear for much of the match and while it was certainly not a vintage performance from Mohamed Magassouba´s side, he will be pleased with their efficiency.

They settled their nerves early on when Moussa Doumbia’s cross from the right found an unmarked Massadio Haidara at the back post and he steered the ball past Mauritania goalkeeper Babacar Diop.

Diop made a smart save from close-range to deny Kone as Mali kept on the pressure without reward, and it took until shortly after halftime for them to get their second.

They were awarded a penalty when Doumbia was upended in the box by Mauritania substitute Souleymane Karamoko, Reuters reported.

Kone converted a powerful spot-kick for his third goal of the tournament, all of them penalties.

Didier Gomes Da Rosa, the Mali head coach, decided to make a double substitution – introducing Adama Ba and 16-year-old sensation Beyatt Lekweiry as the Lions of Chinguetti looked to pull one back.

However, the duo could not change the complexion of the game as Mali continued to dominate possession until match referee Bernard Camille blew the final whistle and Mali ran out 2-0 winners.