Tale of two penalties as Malians upset Tunisia

MALI beat title hopefuls Tunisia 1-0 after a tale of two penalties yesterday as the Africa Cup of Nations moved to Limbe in Cameroon’s south-west, a region on edge due to the conflict led by anglophone separatists.

Ibrahima Kone’s spot-kick shortly after half-time was the difference in a Group F game, but Tunisia could have earned a draw only for Wahbi Khazri to have his late penalty saved.

Mali held on despite having substitute El Bilal Toure sent off late on, and the result is a setback for 2004 champions Tunisia, as another of the leading contenders struggled in the heat and humidity of a midafternoon kick-off.

After an average of a goal a game in the first nine matches of the tournament, this was another lacking goal-mouth action, although the Mali supporters who easily outnumbered Tunisian fans enjoyed their afternoon.

From the stands in the coastal town of Limbe, the eye was regularly drawn to the stunning view down the hill to the Gulf of Guinea rather than the action on the pitch, although just staging matches here at all is an achievement.

Unrest in the anglophone region means the road from economic capital Douala to Limbe is lined with armed forces, and there are checkpoints at the entrance to the town.

A strong and athletic Mali side, whose line-up included six players based in Europe’s big five leagues, were the better team on balance, coming closest in the first half from a Massadio Haidara shot that fizzed just past.

They were awarded a spot-kick for hand-ball just after the restart and Kone, of Norwegian club Sarspborg, finished emphatically.

Tunisia captain Khazri had a free-kick tipped over the crossbar shortly afterwards as they pushed for an equaliser, and their big chance finally came as the game entered the last quarter of an hour.

Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe initially waved away appeals for hand-ball in the Malian box before changing his mind after a

VAR review, but Khazri’s penalty was superbly saved by goalkeeper Ibrahim Mounkoro.

Toure was sent off for a reckless late challenge not long after coming on, but Mali’s 10 men held out.

Today: Cameroon v Ethiopia, 6pm; Cape Verde v Burkina Faso, 9pm

Tomorrow: Senegal v Guinea, 3pm; Malawi v Zimbabwe, Morocco v Comoros, both 6pm; Gabon v Ghana, 9pm

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