Sports
10-Man Mali Edge Tunisia On Penalties To Reach AFCON Quarter-Finals
Ten-man Mali secured a dramatic place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Tunisia 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in their Round of 16 clash on Saturday.
Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra was the hero of the shootout, saving two spot-kicks to send his side through to a quarter-final showdown with Senegal.
Tunisia appeared to have sealed victory late in the contest when Firas Chaouat broke free from his marker to head home a deep cross from Elias Saad in the 88th minute.
However, Mali were handed a lifeline in stoppage time after substitute defender Yassine Meriah was penalised for handball while attempting to block a free-kick. Lassine Sinayoko converted the resulting penalty in the 97th minute to force extra time.
Mali had earlier been reduced to ten men in the 26th minute when Woyo Coulibaly was sent off for stamping on the ankle of Tunisia midfielder Hannibal Mejbri.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Mali showed resilience and composure, holding firm through extra time before Diarra’s penalty heroics sealed the win.
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