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01/09 13:02 CST Senegal edges 10-man Mali to book Africa Cup semifinal
Senegal edges 10-man Mali to book Africa Cup semifinal
By CIARAN FAHEY
AP Sports Writer
RABAT, Morocco (AP) --- Iliman Ndiaye's first-half strike was enough for
Senegal to beat 10-man Mali 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal on
Friday.
Ndiaye poked the ball home from close range in the 27th minute after Mali
'keeper Djigui Diarra let Krpin Diatta's cross slip through his fingers to
land at Ndiaye's feet.
The winter rain which has soaked the tournament started to fall early at Grand
Stade de Tanger and it would not have helped Diarra's grip on the ball.
Mali captain Yves Bissouma was already booked for a foul on Sadio Man as his
team made a courageous start, and the Eagles' hopes took a major blow when he
was shown a second yellow card before the break for a foul on Idrissa Gueye.
Referee Abongile Tom had already sent off Woyo Coulibaly in Mali's previous
game, a penalty shootout win over Tunisia, and Bissouma's sending off
represented the team's third sending off in as many games.
Abdoulaye Diaby had Mali's best chance before the hour mark but his shot was
too close to Senegal keeper douard Mendy.
Otherwise all the chances were at the other end; Diarra saved from Lamine
Camara and Man in stoppage time.
The 2021 champion awaits the winner between Ivory Coast and Egypt in the first
semifinal, also in Tangier, on Wednesday.
Lions' duel in Rabat
Host nation Morocco was playing five-time champion Cameroon in a duel between
the Atlas Lions and Indomitable Lions in the second quarterfinal later Friday.
Cameroon's players danced their way to their locker room, while Morocco's
looked focused as they left their bus accompanied by Fouzi Lekjaa, the
president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
Small groups of Cameroon fans had already taken their positions in the near
70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium an hour before kickoff but they
were sure to be vastly outnumbered. There were whistles and boos for the
Cameroon lineup as it was being announced.
The 19-year-old Christian Kofane was starting up front alongside Bryan Mbeumo
for the Indomitable Lions.
Cameroon eliminated Morocco as host in 1988 and has never lost to the Atlas
Lions in four meetings at the Africa Cup. But Cameroon arrived at the
tournament in turmoil after its federation fired the Belgian coach Marc Brys,
who was at odds with federation president Samuel Eto'o, and appointed David
Pagou in his place.
Brys did not accept his dismissal and reportedly named his own squad for the
Africa Cup that differed from Pagou's. It was Pagou's squad that started the
tournament, however, and which progressed to the quarterfinals with wins over
South Africa, Gabon and Mozambique as well as a draw with defending champion
Ivory Coast.
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AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
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