CHAN 2020 :Mali through to the Final after shootout win over Guinea

Mali have secured their place in Sunday’s final of this edition’s TOTAL African Nations Championship in Yaounde after a penalty shootout win over neighbours Guinea in Douala, Cameroon on Wednesday.

The match between the arch rivals ended goalless after extra time and it was substitute striker Mamadou Coulibaly who decided the semi-final tie of few first-half opportunities since the tie between the neighbours at the Japoma Stadium in Douala on Wednesday was physical hence restricting both sides to few opportunities in the exchanges.

The physicality of match between the neighbours left the referee with only one option and had to resort to booking four players as a result of the physicality of the game with both sides reluctant to venture deep into the opponents’ area before the break.

Guinea’s Yakhouba Barry managed to hit the back of the net after 27 minutes of play but the referee and the VAR ruled that the striker was in front of Mali’s last defender before receiving the ball and the goal was cancelled.

 Meanwhile,after a physical first half of few opportunities ,the second-half continued in the same manner but this time with some opportunities around the goal area which caused some anxious moments for both sides.

Guinea playmaker Morlaye Sylla attempted a free-kick from a similar position that saw him score the winner in their previous game but the Malian goalkeeper Djigui Diarra tipped the ball over for a corner-kick ,the Eagles then pressed their opponents and in the 69th minute they were rewarded with a free-kick at the edge of the Guinea box but Sadio Kanouate’s effort went over the bar.

Mali’s striker and substitute Mamadou Coulibaly had a decent chance in the 89th minute to break the deadlock but failed to control the ball in the box after receiving a decent pass from midfielder Demba Diallo.

After 90 minutes ,the match went into extra time as both sides failed to score and in 100th minute the Mali goalkeeper Diarra had to dive to smother the ball to prevent Barry’s curled effort from causing havoc and moments later Mali striker and substitute Ismael Camara fired just wide with the Guinea goalkeeper Moussa Camara already beaten.

The Guinea custodian was called into action moments later as Eagles striker Bassakou Diabate pounced on a ball from the edge of the box but his effort was saved.

Mali had their brightest chance of the game in the 115th minute when striker Mamadou Coulibaly shoved two defenders after receiving a long ball in the box,the forward ’s shot beat the goalkeeper but went narrowly wide.

The match between the arch rivals ended goalless after extra time and it was substitute striker Mamadou Coulibaly who decided the semi-final tie at the Japoma Stadium in Douala on Wednesday.

The forward sent Guinea substitute goalkeeper Sekouba Camara the wrong way with the final kick of the match and ensured that Mali converted all their kicks to secure their place in the final after Morlaye Sylla fluffed his side’s final kick .

Mali will have to wait until Wednesday night to know their opponents in Sunday’s final as hosts Cameroon take on title holders Morocco in the other semi-final match.