In a thrilling encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Senegal narrowly defeated west African rivals Mali 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Morocco on Friday to advance to the semifinals.
The match was filled with tension and drama, but it was Iliman Ndiaye’s goal in the 27th minute that proved decisive. Following a well-timed assist from Habib Diallo. Ndiaye found himself in a prime position and slotted the ball into the net, sending the Senegalese supporters into raptures.
Despite their early setback, Mali fought valiantly to find an equaliser. They created several opportunities, with notable efforts from Abdoulaye Diaby and Gaoussou Diakite, but Senegal’s goalkeeper, Édouard Mendy, was resolute, making crucial saves throughout the match.
The game was not without its controversies. Yves Bissouma of Mali received a yellow card in the 23rd minute for a foul, which would later lead to his sending off with a second yellow in first-half stoppage time. This left Mali with 10 men, significantly hampering their chances of a comeback.
As the match progressed, Senegal controlled the tempo and displayed their tactical prowess despite Mali’s desperate attempts to breach their defence. Sadio Mané, the star forward for Senegal, came close to doubling the lead late in the game, but his effort was expertly saved by Mali’s goalkeeper, Djigui Diarra.
In the dying moments of the match, Mali pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Senegal’s defence held firm. The final whistle confirmed Senegal’s progression to the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the match between Egypt and Ivory Coast.
With this victory, Senegal not only advances in the tournament but also continued to assert their dominance in African football, much to the delight of their fans.
