The schedule for the knockout phase of the Africa Cup is complete. Mali, Gambia and Tunisia were all already assured of a place in the next round, but had to decide among themselves who would finish in place one, two and three. The former crowned himself the group winner with a 2-0 victory over Mauritania; The Gambia triumphed 1-0 over Tunisia to take second place.
Mali – Mauritania 2-0
Mali had a lightning start at the Japoma Stadium. After just 94 seconds, Moussa Doumbia pulled the ball low for Massadio Haïdara, and the RC Lens left-back came in for the 1-0. Mohamed Magassouba’s team also made it clear afterwards that they wanted to go for the group win. A free kick by Adama Noss Traoré just missed the top right corner; an attempt by Ibrahima Koné could be countered by Boubacar Diop. Mauritania also had a few chances to equalize in the first half hour. Oumar Camara’s header just lacked precision, where Guessouma Fofana’s effort found Ibrahim Mounkoro in its path.
The last fifteen minutes of the first half were fairly bloodless. Immediately after the break, however, it was hit again. Doumbia decorated a penalty kick; Aly Abeid was to blame. Koné went behind the ball and shot the great opportunity with the left into the right corner: 2-0. Mauritania, which had not yet taken a point in Group F, seemed to believe it. The country tried with a few long shots, but let Mali attack. However, that limited the damage. Mali therefore awaits a meeting with Equatorial Guinea in the next round.
Gambia – Tunisia 0-0
The first 42 minutes of Gambia – Tunisia were a few to quickly forget. Each attempt either bounced off an opponent or sailed into the second ring somewhere. The only serious opportunity came from Hamza Rafia, with 35 minutes on the clock. The Standard Liège midfielder aimed the ball just wide from the left side of the penalty area. Aíssa Laïdouni saw another half attempt saved by Baboucarr Gayé, before all hell broke loose. Gambia captain Pa Modou Jagne floored Seifeddine Jaziri within the box and saw the referee point to the spot. Jaziri went behind the ball himself, but to his dismay saw Camarr turn the bet.
Six chaotic minutes followed, with chances for both countries and the red card for Farouk Ben Mustapha as the absolute highlight. However, the 0-0 was still on the scoreboard at halftime. After the resumption, what the countries showed was poor again. Barrow caused a sensation in the 47th minute by giving opponent Hamza Mathlouti a card with a showy schwalbe, but that was it for a long time. The same Barrow chased a free kick on the post fifteen minutes before the end, after which the game seemed to be heading for a goalless end for a long time. Ablie Jallow decided differently: the midfielder scored the 1-0 in the absolute final seconds.
“Terribly bad acting”?? A schwalbe as you have not often seen them, but the referee completely falls for it ??#AFCON2021 pic.twitter.com/SBD4Ezfemj
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) January 20, 2022