2023 AFCON: Tunisia v Mali report

21/01/2024 09:59

In yet another frustrating outing for Tunisia at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations this week, the Carthage Eagles and Mali recorded a 1-1 draw in their latest Group E tie at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium.

Date: Saturday, 20 January

Tunisia: (1) 1 (Rafia 20')

Mali: (1) 1 (Sinayoko 10')

Tunisia: Ben Said, Kechrida, Meriah, Talbi, Abdi, Rafia (Srarfi 78'), Skhiri, Laidouni, Achouri (Ltaief 70'), Msakni (Jaziri 88'), Slimane (Romdhane 88')

Mali: Diarra, Sacko, Niakate, Kouyate, Traore, Samassekou (Bissouma 84'), Haidara (Dorgeles 69'), Coulibaly, Doumbia (Sissoko 83'), Koita (Diabate 69') Sinayoko (Niakate 83')

Mali dominated on the ball during the first 10 minutes of the tie, with their pressure paying off in the 10th minute as  Lassine Sinayoko opened the scoring at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium. Following a passage of clever interplay on the edge of the Tunisia box, the Mali forward's low shot hit the upright toward Bechir Ben Said's left before crossing the line.

Tunisia replied 10 minutes later, with Hamza Raifa capping off a quick transition move inside the Mali area. Picked out by  Ali Al-Abdi with a pass across the area, Rafai's shot slipped under the grasp of goalkeeper Djigui Diarra as the ball crossed the line.

Mali asserted themselves on the tie and dominated throughout the first 45 but were unable to convert their chances.

It was more of the same for Mali throughout the second-half, however, Tunisia produced more shots on target than their counterparts. Nonetheless, the game fizzled out toward the end of the encounter, with the spoils being shared in Korhogo

The Carthage Eagles will now face South Africa in their final Group E match on Wednesday, 24 January, while Mali will face Namibia the same day.