Mali booked their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations for the sixth time after seeing off neighbours Burkina Faso 2-1 in Tuesday’s Round of 16 clash.
The Eagles topped Group E and finished ahead of South Africa, Namibia and Tunisia while the Stallions finished second in Group D behind Angola.
The Malians got things off as early as the third minute when Edmond Tapsoba put the ball into his own net.
The two-time AFCON bronze medalists doubled their lead two minutes after the break as Lassine Sinayoko beat the offside trap, raced through on goal and coolly slotted the ball past Herve Koffi.
Burkina Faso were given a lifeline 10 minutes when Kiki Kouyate was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area with VAR awarding a spot kick. Captain and former Chelsea forward Bertrand Traore stepped up to convert his third penalty of this tournament.
The Malians are through to the QUARTER FINALS!
Mali???????? 2-1 ????????Burkina Faso#Afrosport #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 #MLIBFA pic.twitter.com/sCNDWsuAuG— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) January 30, 2024
Mall will now get to face hosts Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals.
This report is too apt mehnnnn lol