Mali join Burkina Faso in knockout stages

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Apr 05, 2025. 11:00

Friday’s 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations action saw Gambia rout Somalia, while Mali qualified for the knockout stages as one of only two teams still with a 100 per cent record.

Gambia kept their AFCON hopes alive after running out comprehensive 5-1 victors against Somalia at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium.

Alieu Drammeh (4′ PEN, 16′, 76′) scored the second hat-trick of the tournament to pave the way for the Baby Scorpions’ first win in Group C, with an own-goal from Liban Kalif Mohamed (45+3′) and Bisenty Mendy’s 89th-minute effort sealing all three points.

Anas Isse Mohamed’s 48th-minute reply proved nothing but a consolation for the Ocean Stars, who suffered their second successive defeat to be eliminated from the continental showpiece.

Tunisia and Senegal remain first and second in the group respectively after they played out to a 0-0 draw at the same venue later on in the evening.

The Eagles of Carthage occupy top spot ahead of the Young Lions of Teranga on goal difference, with both teams tied on four points.

Meanwhile, Mali maintained their perfect start in Group D after beating Central African Republic 2-0 at the Berrechid Municipal Stadium.

Goals in each half from Soumaila Fane (21′) and Ndjicoura Bomba (46′) kept the Eagles in pole position on six points as they condemned the Wild Beasts to a second straight loss.

Ivory Coast are still unbeaten in the group after they shared the spoils in a goalless draw with Angola at the same venue earlier on in the day.

The Little Elephants trail their West African rivals by two points in second position, with Palanquinhas needing a result against Central African Republic to stand a chance of progressing to the quarter-finals as they only have one point to show for their efforts thus far in the group.

Friday’s results:

Gambia 5-1 Somalia

Tunisia 0-0 Senegal

Angola 0-0 Ivory Coast

Central African Republic 0-2 Mali