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Honours even between Gambia and Mali
Adama Traore of Mali challenged by Yusupha Bobb of Gambia during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Afcon Finals football match between Gambia and Mali at Limbe Stadium in Limbe, Cameroon on 16 January 2022 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Sunday Jan 16, 2022. 17:41
A penalty apiece from Gambia and Mali saw their dramatic Africa Cup of Nations Group F clash end in a 1-1 draw at the at the Limbe Stadium on Sunday.
The Eagles dominated proceedings and finally went in front courtesy of Ibrahima Kone’s 79th-minute spot-kick, but Tom Saintfiet’s side were awarded a penalty of their own late on which was converted by Musa Barrow to snatch a share of the spoils.
The game was almost exclusively played in Gambia’s half in the opening 45 minutes as Mali controlled proceedings, with Assan Ceesay isolated up front.
Mohamed Magassouba’s men had a sniff at goal just two minutes in when Moussa Djenepo completely mis-hit his shot after Adama Malouda Traore cut the ball back from the right byline.
Yves Bissouma then failed to test Modou Jobe with a free-kick from range that flew well wide of the left post on 11 minutes, while Massadio Haidara fizzed a strike into the side-netting from an angle on the left six minutes later after Moussa Djenepo was crowded out inside the area.
The Scorpions were sloppy in possession for the most part, although they came closest to breaking the deadlock on two occasions, with Musa Barrow thumping a free-kick against the crossbar from all of 35 yards out on 21 minutes before Ablie Jallow was denied by the left post with his curling set-piece from 20 yards out on the right in the 38th minute.
The final action of the first half saw Bissouma sky a shot from inside the D on 45 minutes after being teed up by Haidara and in stoppage time Lassana Coulibaly steered a tame header at Jobe from a cross on the right.
Mali started on the front foot in the second half and created four chances in quick succession. Bissouma hit a first-time shot just over the bar on 56 minutes after being picked out on the edge of the box from a corner on the left and Adama Noss Traore failed to beat Jobe two minutes later, having made his way into the area on the left.
Adama Malouda Traore then dragged an effort wide of the right post on the hour mark following a counter down the right flank, while Amadou Haidara’s 64th-minute free-kick on the left was pushed over by Jobe.
Their relentless pressure eventually paid off when Gambia were penalised for an infringement inside the box following an intervention by VAR and Kone sent Jobe the wrong way from 12 yards out to open the scoring.
The referee was sent to the screen once again when the Scorpions appealed for a penalty after the ball appeared to strike Bissouma on the arm.
A spot-kick was awarded and Barrow slotted home calmly in the 90th minute to rescue a point for Gambia.
Gambia (0) 1 (Musa Barrow 90′ PEN)
Mali (0) 1 (Kone 79′ PEN)
Gambia: Modou Jobe, Noah Sonko-Sundberg (Saidy Janko 73′), James Gomez, Omar Colley, Ibou Touray, Sulayman Marreh, Ebou Adams (Modou Barrow 83′), Yusupha Bobb, Ablie Jallow (Muhammed Badamosi 83′), Assan Ceesay (Ebrima Colley 73′), Musa Barrow.
Mali: Ibrahim Mounkoro, Hamari Traore, Falaye Sacko, Boubakar Kouyate, Massadio Haidara, Yves Bissouma, Diadie Samassekou (Adama Noss Traore 46′), Lassana Coulibaly (Amadou Haidara 46′), Adama Malouda Traore, Moussa Djenepo (Moussa Doumbia 70′), Ibrahima Kone.
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