ACTUALITE |
29.01.2002
Early goals steer Mali into African Nations Cup quarter-finals
BAMAKO
Hosts Mali scored twice within seven minutes during the first half to defeat Algeria 2-0 Monday and clinch a place in the African Nations Cup quarter-finals.
Mamadou Bagayoko struck after 18 minutes before a 60,000 crowd crammed into the March 26 Stadium in the Malian capital and Bassala Toure added the second with 24 minutes gone.
A dismal night for Algeria was completed just before half-time when veteran captain and striker Abdelhafid Tasfaout was taken to hospital after a mid-air collision with Bagayoko.
Nigeria topped Group A with seven points after a 1-0 win against Liberia in Mopti, Mali finished runners-up with five, Liberia third with two and Algeria last with one.
On Sunday, the star-studded Nigerian Super Eagles will tackle the Group B runners-up in Bamako while Mali fly to Kayes for a showdown with the Group B winners the same day.
Mali became the first country to win a match by two goals since the event kicked off 10 days ago, and only bad luck and some acrobatic saves from Lounes Gaouaoui prevented a rout.
Inspired by frenzied support from a crowd including President Alpha Konare, the Malian Eagles attacked from the kick-off and it soon became obvious that the Algerian Desert Warriors would not be able to withstand the onslaught.
The first goal was a delight to watch with a crossfield pass picked up by Daouda Diakite, whose centre found Bagayoko from French club Strasbourg inside the penalty area.
Tall, dreadlocked Bagayoko shielded the ball, turned Mohamed Brajda and unleashed a fierce shot that flew over Gaouaoui into the net. It was a goal worthy of winning a Nations Cup final, never mind a pool encounter.
Greece-based Toure had a much simpler task, running on to a through ball as Algeria waited for an offside flag and firing a low shot wide of the goalkeeper into the net.
Mali also controlled a second half notable for several near misses by the Malians with Seydou Keita particularly unlucky while Algeria offered little going forward.
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