Soumah leads Guinea to Afcon qualification

by Bertin Basson

Wednesday Mar 24, 2021. 20:08

Guinea booked their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) ticket with a 1-0 win over Mali in a Group A qualifier at Stade du 28 Septembre on Wednesday.

Victory moved the Syli Nationale up to 11 points, two behind Mali who had already punched their sport at next year’s showpiece in Cameroon ahead of the tie after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) disqualified Chad from the remainder of the qualifiers for government interference.

As a result, both Mali and Namibia were awarded 3-0 wins but the Brave Warriors’ chances of reaching back-to-back Afcon tournaments have come to an end, with Sunday’s match against Guinea in Windhoek now a dead-rubber following the outcome in Conakry.

2022 AFCON QUALIFIERS GROUP STANDINGS

The defining moment of a largely uneventful encounter came in the 75th minute. Seydouba Soumah pounced on the loose ball on the edge of the area before finding the back of the net with a powerful effort that fizzed past the Les Aigles shot-stopper.

Guinea will move top of Group A with a win in Namibia on Sunday, with Mali’s qualification campaign having run its course.

Guinea (0) 1 (Soumah 75′)

Mali (0) 0

Guinea: A.Keita; Sylla, I.Conte, Mohamed, Camara (Kane 70′), Diawara (Sylla 71′), Camara, S.Conte, N.Keita, Kaba (Kouyate 89′), Bayo (Soumah 46′).

Mali: Diarra; Bagayoko, Camara, I.Diarra (M.Traore 72′), Sacko, Samassekou, Dieng, AM.Traore (Diallo 77′), AN.Traore (S.Diarra 28′), Djenepo, Simpara (Diabate 77′).