Equatorial Guinea was the last country to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup on Wednesday evening. In the eighth final, the team of national coach Juan Micha did not pass Mali (0-0) within regular playing time and after extra time, but after penalties the decision was made: 5-6. In the next round, Equatorial Guinea will face Senegal, which already defeated Cape Verde 2-0 on Tuesday.
Magassouba had only one change in store for the game with Equatorial Guinea compared to the won group game with Mauritania (2-0). Adama Traoré (Hatayspor) had to make way for Mohamed Camara, who is under contract with RB Salzburg. On the other side, the same eleven names appeared at the kick-off as in the game against Sierra Leone. The game started promisingly, as Ibrahima Koné on behalf of Mali already had a serious chance in the eighth minute for the opening goal. However, the striker’s dangerous shot went just wide.
After Mali’s chance, the pace of the match dropped sharply and it took until the 58th minute before the next moment of excitement could be experienced. This time it was Mohamed Camara who fired just over the bar on a pass from Yves Bissouma. The biggest chance for Equatorial Guinea was created in the 92nd minute of play. Santiago Eneme struck from a great distance and caused goalkeeper Ibrahim Mounkoro with a difficult bounce, but the latter barely saved.
After an unsatisfactory extra time, the penalty kicks had to come to an end. In the end, it was Equatorial Guinea that took the penalty kicks better and qualified for the quarter-finals. Falaye Sacko missed the decisive penalty on behalf of Mali, as a result of which his country was surprisingly eliminated by Equatorial Guinea: 5-6.
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